Written By: Andraya Yearwood (She/Her)
Sports Are Universal
Topic:
For our first issue of The Authentic, we would like to hear from the women of the sports community, given recent national debate which has sparked over the past year as more transgender women than ever are participating in sports. We believe athletes' voices should be heard to shed light and give perspective from the eyes of those who are most affected by this discussion.
We believe in the importance of using your voice, and hope that we may be able to spark more conversations with this volume of The Authentic.
Please see the full prompt attached at the end of the article for more information on how you can get involved.
In my experience, running against another trans woman has been such an encouraging experience. This is what I was lacking all of freshman year. I had no one to relate to. No one I could connect with that was dealing with the exact same situation that I was in my own state. However, that all changed once I met Terry. After she had reached out to me initially, we just clicked automatically.
I was so grateful to finally have someone that I could learn from, and someone who could learn from me. We were able to really understand each other because our trans experience in athletics was so similar, and in turn, were able to genuinely be there and support one another. Terry didn’t make me feel so alone. She was a constant reminder of the family and consistent support that I have within the transgender community far and wide.
No, I do not believe that if trans women were allowed to participate in sports as their self-identified gender, women’s sports could be at all threatened or at risk in any way. Trans identified individuals have existed in sports since sports existed. In the regulations of the NCAA, there is a section regarding trans participation that has been in the rulebook for over a decade.
If trans athletes were seriously “a threat” to the participation of all women, then there would have been a wave of complete domination by those trans athletes. But since those rules have been implemented, over ten years ago, we have not witnessed that wave of domination.
If these people were actually concerned about the overall success of women in sports, then they there would have been this same big push for trans exclusion, for the pay gap between men and women’s sports, the insurmountable sexual assault allegations from women each year, or the lack of media coverage compared to that of male athletics. Trans bodies are no different than the bodies of anyone else on the field. We have the same right as anyone else on the court to play. Trans athletes will only strengthen the overall experience of athletics for all those involved.
Yes, I do believe that trans female athletes should be able to compete in women’s sports. I am a transwoman, and I do not feel that I should be excluded from something that I, and so many other trans youth, find happiness in. Transgender and non-binary people are no different than cisgender people in the regard for their right to participate in sports.
There are countless advantages of participating in sport that everyone deserves to experience and lessons that everyone deserves to learn. Our gender identities should not be what hinders us from running on the track or swimming in the pool lane. Trans identified individuals are not the ones who should be targeted and made the enemy. There is a huge need for accurate representation and education around the trans experience and the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole.
If a trans female joined my past high school track and field team, I think that the response would be very positive overall. I know that this athlete would be supported, and in good arms. My high school track and field teammates have always been there for me both in practice and at the meets.
I never felt any different from anyone else on the track team and was always included in all the team activities. My teammates never questioned my commitment to the sport, and even made a point of checking me on my own self-confidence in track. It was towards the end of the indoor track season, and I just really wasn’t feeling it anymore.
My interest in the sport had dwindled a little and I was soon overwhelmed by all the adversity I’d gone through those three years prior. Almost immediately after I told my friends of my potential thoughts, their jaws fell open, mouths agape. No one wanted me to leave. There were constant “why” and “how” and “wait what?” questions all around.
I tried to explain my sentiments to my peers again, but they were having none of it. Looking back on it now, I couldn’t be more grateful for the encouragement that they showed me. They helped me to understand that by quitting a spot I love; I would only be letting the naysayers and critics win. I would very literally be giving them what they so badly want.
Once that was made clear to me, I immediately retracted my statement. I couldn't let them win! Not after everything I have had to put up with the past few years. Not after seeing with my own eyes the amount of youth and adults alike, who I’ve inspired and been role models to. Based on the constant love that my friends have shown me all throughout high school, I can very confidently say that any transgender or non-binary athlete that were to join the team, would be loved all the same.
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