So, I've had moments in the past where I might have spent 30 seconds thinking about this subject but ultimately I don't give a fuck about competitive sports so my analysis usually ends up being, all competitive sports should be banned because competitive sports are dumb. Which is admittedly a neanderthal take.

But yeah, now the global athletic showdown is going down and seemingly everyone in my immediate vicinity keeps clutching their pearls and I guess I'm sick of not being able to advocate for trans comrades appropriately and articulate a proper response.

So what's a better response besides, "who cares?" Am I missing something? Like, if all things were equitable, what would or should competitions look like?

Help me out. I honestly have no idea.

  • robot_dog_with_gun [they/them]
    ·
    4 months ago

    essence of thought is doing a series on the history of this crap. turns out closeted trans men were winning in the womens division a century ago, and in categories where women won mixed competitions they would add gendered divisions and change things so e.g. target shooting scores can't be compared.

    Early Transphobia & Sexism in Sports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueGw_L7FVYM

    Olympic Transphobia & The Red Scare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg0xv-BCF98

    and she has some stuff from a few years ago refuting all the modern panic, relating to some atheist schism.