Staff Reports
The age-old adage suggests that April showers bring May flowers, but amidst this seasonal transition, a contentious issue has taken root: the increasing presence of men dominating women’s sports, with no end in sight. This trend has sparked widespread concern and frustration among many.
Numerous individuals argue against men competing in women’s sports (and vice versa), citing numerous instances of transgender athletes excelling in women’s leagues. Conversely, instances of women competing in men’s divisions are far less common.
» Trans-Identifying Female Boxer KO’d in 21 Seconds by Biological Male https://t.co/fMvdLSyW9c
— https://yonadav7 (@yonadav77) April 18, 2024
During the 2024 Sherwood Need For Speed Classic track competition in Oregon, transgender runner Aayden Gallagher showcased remarkable performance, outpacing his female competitors significantly. Finishing a 200-meter race heat in 25.49 seconds, Gallagher secured a lead of about two seconds, a substantial margin in track and field.
In another race, Gallagher secured second place, trailing closely behind female runner Aster Jones. However, it’s crucial to note Gallagher's impressive times, ranking among the top five fastest in the Oregon girls' 200m and 400m events, according to The Post Millennial.
Yet, when comparing Gallagher’s times to those of male athletes, The Post Millennial highlighted that his 200m time would have placed him 61st among male athletes and 46th in the 400m event.
Online backlash ensued, particularly against Gallagher, but also encompassing broader dissatisfaction with the inclusion of men in women’s sports. The Independent Council on Women’s Sports declared, “Championing boys in girls sports is blatant misogyny,” reflecting the sentiment of many online voices.
Others expressed outrage on social media, with one commenter denouncing Gallagher's actions as not merely cheating but criminal, as it deprived girls of fair competition opportunities and potential sporting futures.
However, there exists another perspective. Boxer Patricia Manuel made history as the first transgender pro boxer to compete in the men’s division. Formerly a five-time national amateur women’s boxing champion, Manuel transitioned in 2013 and began competing against men five years later.
While Manuel achieved victories against male opponents, a recent fight in California saw her knocked out within 21 seconds. Media Research Center raised the question, “Ever wonder why you never hear stories about women who believe they’re men stealing actual men’s sports trophies and championships?” suggesting that such occurrences are rare.
This contentious debate has elicited strong opinions, with Macy Petty, a volleyball player and former intern at the Family Research Council, asserting that the female league is not a secondary league but one specifically designed for women to embrace their unique abilities. Petty emphasized that male intrusion disrupts opportunities for female athletes and undermines the distinctiveness of male and female designs.
Moreover, Petty highlighted the potential risks, as evident in sports like boxing, where women may be placed in harm’s way due to competing against male opponents.
As the debate rages on, questions linger about the future of high school sports and whether athletes and parents will follow in the footsteps of over a dozen female athletes suing the National Collegiate Athletics Association for permitting transgender athletes to compete against them and access female locker rooms in college sports.
