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The battle is no longer-and never was-about fairness
2025-09-02
The house has passed a blanket ban for trans girls and women participating in sports at federally-funded schools. They argue that it is in an attempt to "protect women's sports." They center the debate around fairness. And, to be honest, I don't really care if they're right or wrong. Scientifically, they're likely wrong in most scenarios. But arguing that point will not change the bill. It will not change the GOP's position. Most importantly, hitting your republican friend with a "gotcha" study and a snide remark will do NOTHING to improve the material lives for would-be trans athletes. It's time to stop debating fairness. The house bill blocked sport participation for trans athletes at *federal* institutions. They did not and cannot ban trans athletes from your Sunday long run, from your shoe store run club, from your backyard trail race, or from your neighborhood's Strava leaderboard. If you want to fight back, make space in those places for trans athletes. Make a point of welcoming them, supporting them, and celebrating their progress and success as you would for any other human being. Sports are for community, fun, happiness, personal growth, and also occasionally competition. Competition is fun and motivating, but who won the Olympic gold in the women's marathon in 2000? Who has the segment QOM on "Don't run naked, it's not worth it"? It doesn't really matter. It may matter to the winner, in the moment, but, as anyone who's won anything knows, it's a fleeting, transient joy. It's not the point of sport. Winning is not why you run. You run because it makes you HAPPY! Please give that happiness to more humans. Give space in your community for trans athletes.
