Thread: Transgender Weightlifter Killing it

Originally Posted by Dieseld

But then everyone gets a trophy too right?

Participation souvenir. "Trophy", I'm sure offends someone, somewhere!

The absurdity of political correctness. All "her" cells are still genetically male. The only thing that has changed is that oestrogens have replaced testosterone. It is unfair to the majority of real women that they have to compete against these transgenders. This is the reversal of democracy: tiny minorities and their vassals ruling sports.

I'm ashamed of myself for finding that video too funny.

I find the transgender discussion intriguing.

Personally, I don't have issues regarding people by the gender they identify with or modifying themselves physically to feel more comfortable in their skin; if someone tells me she is a woman, I assume she knows.

By my interactions with transgender people and reading on the subject, I feel that it's a good thing that more and more gender is being regarded as being determined by what's between your ears much more than by what's between your legs.

This also goes for the clearer distinction between gender and sexual preference; I have an acquaintance who is transgender male (i.e. female-to-male) and romantically inclined towards men. After a bit of pondering on the subject, it made perfect sense to me.

In most aspects, such as legal (adoption, marriage, etc.), having children I'm all for absolute equality, irrespective of someone's gender identity, sexual orientation, skin colour, religion, whathaveyounot.

I do however feel like a discussion with regards to physical competition is relevant. I also don't believe transgender people can be physically on the same level as the gender they aim for.

Then again, testosterone levels (and other biological qualities) fluctuate within biological genders as well, giving some men a clear advantage over other men in competitive sports.

See, interesting.

Oh, another thing I learned from interacting with and reading about transgender people: it's not a sudden decision. More often than not it is the culmination of a life-long identity crisis. Pre-transformation transgender people apparently have a significantly above average risk of substance abuse and other self-destructive behaviour. I'm pretty sure most of them don't "do it" for kicks, being cool or for becoming top ranking athletes.

Also, there are very many unnatural things that are everyday reality: breast implants, GMO crops, animal breeding, medical engineering, honing on stones made from synthetic materials. Apparently, YMMV.

Originally Posted by Pithor

I do however feel like a discussion with regards to physical competition is relevant. I also don't believe transgender people can be physically on the same level as the gender they aim for.

I think it's more of an all or nothing thing. What you're saying can be viewed as selective discrimination. A similar scenario I envision would be a group of biological females who decide to form a club of some sort perhaps in addition to being female, also share a common experience of childbirth. Transgender proponents and supporters would most likely cry foul if such a group didn't want a biological male identifying as a woman in the group.

I'm actually surprised that there has not been more of a public assertion by biological females who have given birth as to uniqueness of such an experience which, like it or not, absolutely excludes biological males in any form from identifying with said experience. I recall when my wife, who with one of our children was in labor for 35 hours read that the musician Sheryl Crow who adopted or had a surrogate give birth said something to the effect of: "When we gave birth to.....". My wife's reaction was pretty visceral: "Um, YOU didn't give birth to anyone there, Sheryl!". I'm sure an argument could be raised that there are many biological females who don't give birth and no less a woman for not doing so. I guess my point is childbirth is real and unique and can't be identified with unless you're a biological woman who has given birth....

I recall reading some things after that woman's march in the U.S. that some biological women were not accepting of transgender males identifying as women joining the march for the cause of women.

Yeah, nah. You all missed the point... Quite possibly the star of that video is missing a point of his /her own...
This is the length ( or lack of length now ) that a New Zealand athlete will go to beat Australia at a sport...
All jokes aside, I did not see that on the news here. I absolutely don't agree with swapping genders to win anything. I would have thought people like that have bigger problems to deal with. I am not homophobic, but I absolutely don't agree with gay marriage either.
Sorry if that offends anyone here, but hey there, read your Bible.
Why is it that even the sanctity of marriage has been over ridden with political correctness?
Each to their own, but it is rather ludicrous,and a huge joke here that people of the same sex can get married, but can't legally smoke a joint together...
Cheers for that Irishshaver, just don't see the reason behind it. Pretty sure I was still asking questions about how to shave correctly at. post 34. Request thread be closed.


Sent from a moto x far far away

Originally Posted by Grazor

I am not homophobic, but I absolutely don't agree with gay marriage either.
Sorry if that offends anyone here, but hey there, read your Bible.
Why is it that even the sanctity of marriage has been over ridden with political correctness?
Each to their own, but it is rather ludicrous,and a huge joke here that people of the same sex can get married, but can't legally smoke a joint together...

This is getting a bit off-topic, as gender and sexual orientation are not the same thing.

Because marriage, apart from being a symbolic institution, has very serious legal ramifications, from taxes to child custody and inheritances.

And yes, more off-topic, I agree it's silly that marihuana is still considered the big, green monster in alot of places.

And why do you feel this thread should be closed?

Society's new view regarding transgender and sexual identity is so new that I'm sure it will evolve. Case in point, the very topic of this thread, transgenders and competitive sports is a conundrum to be sure:

Current/common way of thinking seems to be: a transgender person declaring they are the opposite sex should be regarded in all ways as such (e.g. pronoun references as their declared identity, changing sex on legal documents to declared sex, using declared sex bathrooms/locker rooms, etc) In effect, no difference than biological persons of the declared sex. Treated as and regarded as....the same in all respects.

Competitive sports: Acknowledgement by many as to the fact that biologically men and women are different and can in many sports give a biological male and by extension, a biological male declaring himself female, advantages. Advantages which some argue should prevent transgender male to female from competing with biological women. Or, create a different class in sports altogether, a transgender category (I doubt transgenders would like that idea).

Unless society embraces in totality the concept of perceived sexual identity being no different than biological identity without restriction including in competitive sports and instead has a same in nearly all respects but different in some respects related to biology (ie sports) wouldn't we as society be simply pretending or adopting fantasy as reality?

That's why I just don't think you can have it one way (transgenders are the same as biologicals they identify with) but then not another (but not the same in the case of.......).

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Current/common way of thinking seems to be: a transgender person declaring they are the opposite sex should be regarded in all ways as such (e.g. pronoun references as their declared identity, changing sex on legal documents to declared sex, using declared sex bathrooms/locker rooms, etc) In effect, no difference than biological persons of the declared sex. Treated as and regarded as....the same in all respects.

I disagree. Here are those 'Feelings' I referred to above.

Just because someone CAN do something does not make it right.
LOTS of folks 'FEEL' this way.

Don't hold your breath trying to change someone's mind.
Exactly like politics. In fact, pure politics....Just stronger feelings.

Push for it. Make it law even. Won't change a thing.

Now why should this thread NOT be closed?

Indeed.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Now why should this thread NOT be closed?
.

A sensitive subject with strongly opposing views.

That in itself is no reason to stop it and I have yet to see any post that even if I don't agree with it is offensive.