There is so much anger, blame and victimization today, and we are all reacting to it instead of listening to each other and making the world a better place.
I hear what people are saying; being transgender is very challenging right now, and trying to figure out how to fit in society and be accepted isn’t easy. I think we need to take a pause and think about how this is best approached in sports to make it acceptable for all students.
The rule the state Board of Education made is ensuringequality in girls’ sports that has been a longtime battle. The ruling and some people’s stance on this issue has no bearingon how they feel about transgender girls, but says a lot on how people feel about equality in sports. It is based on the hard work of many to make sports fair and create opportunity for girls and women.
I agree that playing in high school sports is beneficial for all students, and I don’t want to single any student out or add negatively to any student’s mental state. However, is it fair for a biological girl to lose a competition to a transgender girl, or not make a roster spot because a transgender girl got the spot? How about sitting on the sidelines while a transgender girl is on the field because they are faster, stronger, taller, etc.? How would it affect that girl’s mental state, scholarships or confidence? It does happen, and has happened in college swimming, for one. Should the rule be transgender girls can play girls’ sports as long as they aren’t very good?
I think the discussion needs to be how can we provide an athletic opportunity for transgender students; I wonder where the transgender boys are in all this. Can a trans girl play on the boys’ team, just as girls do who want to wrestle or play tackle football? Maybe the school should create more open divisions in certain sports or intramural sports.
This rule is personal for females who fought for Title IX and equality for women and girls in sports. We can’t move back; we have to move forward and find a way for everybody. It’s not going to be perfect in one year — history has shown us it takes time, and change is hard, and we must give everyone some grace and work together. Who can even think when they are constantly being yelled at? We waste so much time and energy yelling and blaming instead of listening and brainstorming.
Maybe if we just took a pause and a breath we can find a way that is healthy for everyone and gives everyone an opportunity to fit in and be accepted. I don’t know the answer, but let’s be good role models for our youth and show them a better way to get their needs met.
— Kim Borke
Anchorage
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