Californians Fear Speaking Truth About Trans Athletes in Girls’ Sports
Frustrated California Moms Speak Out Against Transgender Athletes in Girls’ Sports
“It’s not fair that boys are competing against our teenage girls,” say concerned California moms.
Unspoken Concerns
Nearly two dozen California mothers, coaches, and activists are speaking out against the increasing presence of transgender-identifying boys in girls’ sports. However, most are afraid to voice their opinions publicly due to fears of reputation damage or loss of opportunities.
“Most agree that trans kids should have their own category, but no one can say it out loud,” says Keri Olson, a former UCLA tennis player and member of a secret chat group for Southern California women who oppose their high-school aged daughters playing sports with larger and stronger males.
The fear surrounding this issue is striking, considering that a recent Gallup poll revealed that nearly 70 percent of Americans believe sports participation should be determined by biological sex. Yet, a pending update of Title IX by the Biden administration would require schools to allow students to play on teams according to their gender identity.
California’s Discontent
In California, where progressive governance and gender “equity” are championed, discontent with the current situation is simmering just beneath the surface. Since a decade ago when the state allowed kids to choose their sports teams based on gender identity, nearly 2 percent of California high schoolers now identify as transgender. Trans-identifying boys are even outperforming girls in sports, with two boys qualifying for the state track championships and a trans-identifying boy winning the girls’ ski racing title.
Olson and her chat group members, many of whom are former college athletes, see the transgender movement as a threat to the hard-won protections that women’s sports have enjoyed since Title IX was enacted. Olson believes that speaking up is crucial to prevent the other side from prevailing. “We need to not be scared,” she says.
However, many Californians are afraid to voice their concerns. One mother fears losing her corporate salary, while another worries about her employees quitting if she publicly supports female-only sports. Some girls themselves are hesitant to object, not wanting to hurt the boys’ feelings or believing that protesting is futile.
Speaking Out
“McCarthyism Run Amok”
Bill Fraser, a former girls’ lacrosse coach, was recently fired after expressing support for a proposed ban on transgender athletes. He compared the situation to the Red Scare of the 1950s, where fear silenced dissent and ruined lives.
“We Are Not Insane”
Julie Lane, a member of the feminist group Women Are Real, decided to go public with her support for female-only sports. She believes that hiding allows people to make assumptions and wants to challenge the notion that those who oppose transgender athletes are “insane.”
In the end, the two trans-identifying runners who qualified for the championships did not show up. The California Interscholastic Federation condemned critics, but made no mention of the female runners who also did not attend. The conversation around transgender athletes continues to be a contentious issue.
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