Sports activities have performed a large function in my life. From coaching in highschool to profitable the gold medal throughout America’s bicentennial yr on the Olympic Video games in 1976, I poured my coronary heart and soul into reaching my dream of being the “Greatest Athlete within the World,” a title given to the person who wins the decathlon.
However none of that got here simple. I skilled numerous hours and sacrificed a lot of myself to compete and win on the highest degree. For a time, I felt sports activities and my Olympic accomplishments outlined who I used to be as an individual. However, finally, I used to be lucky sufficient to be taught who I'm and to dwell my life authentically after I got here out as transgender.
That's the reason the case of transgender NCAA swimmer Lia Thomas has resonated so strongly with me. I've at all times stated that Lia ought to dwell her life as authentically as doable. However my hope is that everybody — Lia, sure, but in addition biologically-born feminine athletes world wide — can really feel that means each single day.
We should shield ladies’s sports activities. In any respect prices. What Lia has executed, beating organic ladies to win a Division I nationwide championship, is anathema to what sports activities represents and the spirit of competitors.
Watching Lia fully dominate the competitors was heartbreaking and maddening on the similar time. My coronary heart broke for the feminine athletes who labored their total lives to achieve the top of the game simply to have it overshadowed by this controversy. And I used to be mad as a result of it didn't must be this fashion. The NCAA ought to have executed the honorable factor to guard these ladies. It's their obligation to take action. But, the NCAA caved to the woke mob and refused to guard ladies, on all ranges.
They did not do precisely what their bylaws mandate. Title IX affirms protections for females in opposition to discrimination in “education schemes or actions that obtain federal funding, together with sports activities. Which means that federally funded establishments, resembling public faculties, are legally required to offer women and boys with equitable sports activities alternatives.
And since we dwell in a cancel tradition world, Lia’s College of Pennsylvania teammates and opponents have been unable to talk freely about how they really really feel with out concern of retribution from the illiberal left who would destroy their lives.
When did defending ladies grow to be such a controversial stance?
In April 2021, earlier than we even knew who Lia was, I commissioned a survey from main pollster Fabrizio Lee & Associates to raised perceive how residents of California — essentially the most liberal state within the union — actually really feel about this vital situation. By an amazing majority (48% to 37%), voters opposed organic boys taking part in ladies’s sports activities in faculties. Amongst Republicans, 84% have been in opposition and, amongst Independents, 55%.
This can be a huge cultural situation not just for the midterm elections, however for 2024 as effectively. Because of this I can be working with candidates and political committees to search out options that can shield ladies’s sports activities whereas respecting the choices of those that dwell their lives authentically.
I additionally not too long ago signed a deal to be a contributor with Fox Information the place I can use my voice to foster a dialogue on this situation. Laws from both the state and federal degree is probably going wanted to current a transparent path in direction of guaranteeing ladies have the alternatives to thrive and obtain their desires. Within the US Senate, the “Shield Girls and Ladies in Sports activities Act” was not too long ago launched to set clear tips on defending ladies’s sports activities.
In a couple of weeks time, I can be heading to Capitol Hill to debate commonsense options with level-headed elected officers from each side of the aisle. This situation is larger than any single particular person. It's larger than Lia Thomas. It's larger than myself. That is a couple of era of ladies who're beneath assault from the woke mob.
It's my hope that Lia reads this. I do know this isn't simple and it by no means can be. However sometime, I hope we are able to have a dialog and focus on our shared experiences. You've gotten a platform now and it's your duty to make use of it correctly.
Caitlyn Jenner is an Olympian, former GOP candidate for California governor and a FOX Information contributor.
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