Being a woman in a first-world country is so easy that we often harp on the silliest of issues like “manspreading” or the misogyny that occupies controlling the air conditioning. We demand equality with men and then protest when we are under threat of getting drafted. But there is a massive issue right now concerning women’s equality, and it isn’t concerning pay or jobs, but equal access to sports and the right to compete fairly.
Back in 2019, I wrote about girls on a Connecticut track and field team suing their athletic organization. The suit claimed that allowing biological males to compete in female categories “has put them at a competitive disadvantage and harmed their chances of earning college scholarships.”
People who raise their voices in concern about the influx of biological men in women’s sports, in women’s dressing rooms, and in women’s prisons were then criticized as “bigots” and “hysterically transphobic.” JK Rowling, one of the most famous authors of our generation, was dragged continually when she came out and tweeted:
“Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill”
We were told that this would never impact girls’ lives, and even if it did, why does it matter? Don’t these trans girls have the right to compete in the league of their choice?
But it does matter, and it matters now more than ever.
Lia Thomas, a swimmer on the University of Pennsylvania team, just won first place in the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving championships, making Thomas the first trans athlete to place first in a Division One competition.
But why does it matter? Shouldn’t all athletes be allowed to compete where they feel most comfortable? Absolutely not. Any girl who grew up with brother or boy cousins will be able to tell you the stark physical rift puberty creates between males and females.
When men are allowed to compete in women’s sports, the safety of the other girls is at risk. High contact sports like boxing, wrestling, soccer, or rugby are dangerous enough without a level playing field. World-beating swimmer, Michael Phelps, in an interview said:
“I don’t think I’ve competed in a clean field in my career. So, I think this leads back to the organizing committees; there has to be a level playing field. That’s something that we all need because that’s what sports are. I believe we all should feel comfortable with who we are and in our own skin, but I think sports should all be played on an even playing field.”
As a coach, a female, and a weekend athlete, it is frustrating to see 100 years’ worth of records be erased from the book. Women’s sports have only truly been around for 100 years, and at the rate they are going, we will not make it to 200 years.
Taylor Hunt
Taylor Hunt is currently attending Washington State University pursuing a degree in AG Engineering. In her spare moments, Taylor writes for multiple outlets and loved to explore the natural world.
The views expressed in this article are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Lone Conservative staff.
@TakketyTam
