#TBT: Throwback Trans Thursday, A Not So Glorious Past

"#tbt when I was 13..how life was so easy"

     
            "college years #tbt"

                                                                                    "me and daddy #TBT :)" 

These probably are the hash tags, whimsical posts, and elated emotions that are portrayed throughout Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all the other social media utopias every Thursday since the infamous "throwback Thursday" movement captured the minds of followers and users everywhere. Many reminisce in experiences of happiness and the "good ole times" of the past; however, for transgender athletes, throwing back time to ten, five, even three years ago, is not so "joyous" shall we say.

There were no guidelines, a serious dearth of experts, and even less coming out of the closet. That famous "T" in the LGBT acronym that people often look over, or include only for political accuracy - yes, there are an actual body of people that the "T" represents. Transgender people have struggled for centuries, arguably even longer than gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals have. In the past, nobody seems to quite understand the science behind being trans nor the  mental and emotional state that many suffer through as a result of identifying with a different gender than assigned at birth. In athletics, the case has been no different in failing to provide a safe space for equality and inclusion of transgender athletes..until recently.

It wasn't until the 2012-13 academic year that the governing body of intercollegiate athletics, the NCAA, came out with a proper guide ("Champions of Respect") on rules and regulations surrounding transgender athletes during their transition from one gender to another. The average sports fan never (and may still not have) heard of or saw a professional trans athlete until pioneers like Kye Allums at George Washington University and  Fallon Fox of the MMA courageously stepped out of the proverbial closet. So what does this signify moving forward? How do we, as lovers of sport, repair our mistakes?

We must not forget, not push it aside, and certainly not hash tag it away. Transgender rights and equality are part of an ongoing fight in courts and legal venues across the world. As sports aficionados, we must be better than the rest, right? We always want to win, rise to the top, or see our team be crowned a champion. Now it's our turn to take home the gold for trans athletes. Fight, even when you have no energy left. It's the fourth quarter, we're down by a touchdown, and the ball is in your hands. Don't throw an interception to the trans-equality opposition. Instead, throw a bullet into the end zone of inclusion and #allyship.

Remember, throwing back to the old days may be a therapeutic and enjoyable memory for many, but for transgender athletes and coaches, it is nothing short of a dark nightmare. Let's help turn on the light.

Running Out of the Closet: Gays in Sports

                                         

                                

Twenty years ago, it wouldn't have even been a thought, not a blip on the radar, not even a consideration. Does that mean they didn't exist? Has something changed in our culture to suddenly open the closet door? Why now?

Despite ignorant viewpoints, #gay athletes have existed for years, yes even before most ever heard of a #gay athletes when Jason Collins took the heroic step out of the closet. When I say gay, of course I mean #LGBTQ. Yes women were lesbians, men were gay, both were bisexual and transgender, and everyone was queer. This has been a constant throughout time, the only actually change is that sports are finally welcoming and embracing #LGBTQ athletes and coaches rather than shunning them.

So why now? Yes, the #Gay Rights movement is surging and has gained incredible ground since the trailblazing Supreme Court decisions in the Summer of 2013; however, that isn't the sole player on this team of progress. Now more than ever before, athletes, coaches, and fans are supporting inclusion over exclusion, and are pushing their favorite leagues and teams in the direction of equality and acceptance. #LGBTQ advocates and activists are playing an integral role, but athletes and coaches themselves are realizing that no longer can sports be a venue where people are afraid to be themselves.

Over the course of this blog I hope to inspire action, motivation, and passion. There has been progress, but we still have much room for growth with including people of all sexual orientations and gender identities into various sporting venues. Human rights' movements have historically never been accomplished by one person, organization, or leader - but rather by a joint effort of activists who demand better. As a good friend always tells me, progress isn't measured by the movement from one extreme to another, but rather by movement in a new and more helpful direction. We are progressing, you can be assured of that - now it's time to keep running forward.