A questions about sports (sorry). (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by BranBucket@lemmy.world to c/asktransgender

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

First, forgive me for a mostly political post, and if political discussions aren't welcome I have to problems deleting this.

I live in a highly conservative, sports loving area and I'm tired of listening to all the obviously insincere hand wringing and lies about safety and trans athletes in women's sports. Sometimes, changing the subject or leaving isn't an option, sadly. I was hoping you all could give me a little advice on how to respond as I'm tired of being silent.

Instinctively, I want to try and derail these arguments by suggesting that collegate and youth sports implement something like the "red stripe" rule from youth football. In pee wee football, if a player is growing faster than their peers then their helmet is marked with a red stripe and they're no longer allowed to carry the ball or play certain positions. This is both for handicap and safety reasons.

And just to be clear, I think the safety/unfair advantage argument is bullshit.

However, suggesting a red stripe rule could be a way to answer that argument without conceding their point and move a debate on to other topics. If a bigot still wants to press the sports issue, they're have to find other reasons to do so, and likely have to reveal their prejudice more openly.

But, I'm hesitant to use this argument, because at its core, such a rule still singles out trans athletes. So while it seems like a great debate tactic, I can still see how it could come across as offensive and transphobic, despite my intentions.

I don't like the idea of simply dismissing the issue as only affecting a tiny percentage of the population because that, to me, shouldn't matter.

So, what approach would be best? How would you all respond in this situation? How can I speak out on your behalf without speaking over you or for you?

top 8 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] zea_64 12 points 3 weeks ago

"Why do you care?"

Also, sports have never been fair, the top players always have a "biological advantage" and nobody cares, so why care about this hypothetical advantage?

However, don't underestimate people's ability to deflect and say things you know they don't believe to avoid saying the underlying reason for their opinions.

[-] BranBucket@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

It's all concern trolling on their part, and your point about "biological advantage" is exactly why it's a bullshit argument. But I've made no secret that I think a lot of people take sports far to seriously, so I can always use this.

Thanks for the reply. And I appreciate the reminder, because if there's one thing I've learned it's that these guys will always impress you with their ability to not own up to their failings.

[-] will_steal_your_username 9 points 3 weeks ago

The debate is a distraction and engaging in it will never end well. I think your best bet is just steering away from the topic all together as the truth is this topic is way to big in the media and your voice way too small to change the mind of any bigot.

[-] BranBucket@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you. This is getting increasingly harder to do in these parts, but I'll do my best. 🫡

[-] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 8 points 3 weeks ago

Fwiw, there's times where a simple "get the fuck off with that malarkey" is an acceptable and appropriate response to bullshit.

[-] BranBucket@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

True, and I'm definitely in more of a "let the bridges I burn light the way" mood these days. I think part of me still wants to reach people, especially those I have to interact with on a daily basis, but as others said, it just may not be possible. Thanks for the reply. =)

[-] chapien 2 points 1 week ago

Honestly, I like to reframe the argument myself. Now, keep in mind I don't know much about sports, especially not the more physically aggressive ones -- I mostly like Soccer and Baseball, when I even want to watch or play a sport at all.

But, personally, the best way to counter the fairness argument is to ask them "Why is it split on gender and not on weight class?" Lots of sports already are (in addition to the gender divides). I personally think segregating based on sex at all is ridiculous -- the reason we have segregated sports is because in the first Olympics (which were co-ed), some women out performed men and so new leagues were made to protect the feelings of men.

Would weight classes perhaps lead to de facto sex segregation? Maybe in some cases, but I think it would be a more logical way to divide them.

That said, the entire debate is pointless and is just used as a bludgeon. This is assuming you have to engage for whatever reason. I prefer to pay as little mind to the topic as possible (which, sadly, is harder to do lately)

[-] FirstMajesticComet 1 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah, don't engage in these types of debates, they're never made in good faith and they don't end well.

this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2025

9 points (100.0% liked)

AskTransgender

396 readers

1 users here now

A place to ask transgender people questions and get answers about the trans experience.

Rules:

Respect other people's identities
No Fetishizing Trans people
No Gatekeeping about not being "trans enough"
No Inciting Drama
No personal Agendas
Posts should encourage discussion

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS