I can only imagine how you feel, Frankie. But please know the work you do matters even despite the fuckery right now. Your writing has been so important in educating and debunking... and bringing visibility. I am a cisgender trans inclusive feminist, teach courses on sports and gender, write about trans inclusion in sports as a key component of broader gender equality, and use your work in my own research and teaching. Your writing matters, your voice is important! We trans inclusive sports feminists have lost one battle in the fight (a big one unfortunately), but this is a war on trans people within and beyond sports. FWIW, I will keep fighting and leveraging my cis-privilege ... hopefully others can find time to rest, retreat, take a break if needed. Yours in stuggle...
I'm an athlete and mom to a trans male teen athlete. We are grieving and scared. I see you and appreciate your writing and telling these stories--you're not failing at all. This is an ultramarathon of a fight, and we're in a dark place, but we'll keep going, and telling the stories helps. Holding you, and everyone who loves trans folks and trans athletes, in the light.
Frankie, your work has not been in vain. The toxic masculinity that has drowned out the voices of inclusivity and community is backlash against all that women have accomplished. To me, it is apparent that trans girls and women are being treated as more dangerous women than cis women. Is it an affront to their sense of self and identity that any “man” would willingly surrender that privilege to be a woman? I am saddened that more people and groups are not standing up for our sisters - as it seems MAGA and the current administration are only worried about trans girls/women and focused on isolating and punishing them. Are we being protected whether we want it or not?
It’s all devastating. So extremely scary and sad all around. Your feelings are so valid and you and your work are important and true. We’re still in this 💜
Thank you for doing what you do. It's so valuable not only for the 12 current badass trans collegiate athletes, and the kids aspiring to get there, but also everyone else who cares about this issue and sees it as a civil/human rights matter. Seems like we are going to have to navigate a rather long arc of history before it bends back toward justice for trans athletes, especially given advocates' sense that right now there aren't enough resources to fight every battle and others are more critical. You have educated a lot of folks, and helped the ones already living the issue feel seen, and that is worth a lot.
Just echoing the comments below: I'm heartbroken for and with you and all my trans kin. And also: your work has not been for nothing. But I'm also angry for you, for everyone, and it makes sense that you're feeling defeated. I hope so much that feeling can pass sooner than later, because I truly believe your writing matters. Thank you for all you do and have done, and I'm so sorry the world is such garbage.
Honestly, it would be even worse if people like you weren't around doing the work you do. That kinda sucks because it's shitty times right now in so many ways. But your work does matter and it has always mattered. That's why I subscribed. And it's in the most difficult of times that your work is even more valuable.
I'm glad re-inc and the NWSLPA said something. But I also wish they'd been explicit in their posts that this means trans women and trans girls in women's sports. (And maybe they were and I missed it.) Posts that are vague or general enough that they could be interpreted as protecting women's sports via the exclusion of trans women doesn't pass muster to me.
And a few years ago it didn't feel like that was too much to ask.
One of the reasons we haven't seen as much defense from supposed allies -- I suspect -- is that MAGA is attacking so many communities that many people are deluged and overwhelmed. And that is the intent....to overwhelm us into not feeling able to respond or fight.
And continue to fight we must. And like you I will never shut up. Thank you for providing more impetus to keep going.
Let me put this into a Boston context—you've hit Heartbreak Hill. You've put in the effort on training, on HH executing, and you've been excelling. All of a sudden it goes vertical on you. You're in the last quarter of the race and now it really gets hard. You're up against Rosie Ruiz, happy that they've been able to hide from scrutiny all this way and make others pay the price, while they gather the accolades. We know how that ends.
America is not built for working Americans anymore, and to protect the billionaires from pitchforks (and ghost guns), they've created scapegoats to distract suburban moms from noticing their rights being stripped away. The NCAA and the sports leagues don't care about athletes, they are financial service organizations with a clientele more exclusive than BlackRock, who only count dollars.
When the tide turns and the current ring of grifters is discarded, and balance is returned, the challenges you face will be a distant memory. No one will question trans-athletes, because they will be athletes. These are dark times and some of us may not survive to see the light return, but it is our responsibility to defend and protect those who the powers have chosen to vilify.
Don't give up—every push back, every rejection is another step up the hill. Beacon Street and the roaring crowds in Coolidge and Kenmore await!
I have a trans teenage girl who is deeply into competitive cycling, and already gave up racing because she knew she would be excluded from competing. It’s so hard. I appreciate the work you are doing.
I can only imagine how you feel, Frankie. But please know the work you do matters even despite the fuckery right now. Your writing has been so important in educating and debunking... and bringing visibility. I am a cisgender trans inclusive feminist, teach courses on sports and gender, write about trans inclusion in sports as a key component of broader gender equality, and use your work in my own research and teaching. Your writing matters, your voice is important! We trans inclusive sports feminists have lost one battle in the fight (a big one unfortunately), but this is a war on trans people within and beyond sports. FWIW, I will keep fighting and leveraging my cis-privilege ... hopefully others can find time to rest, retreat, take a break if needed. Yours in stuggle...
Thank you
I'm an athlete and mom to a trans male teen athlete. We are grieving and scared. I see you and appreciate your writing and telling these stories--you're not failing at all. This is an ultramarathon of a fight, and we're in a dark place, but we'll keep going, and telling the stories helps. Holding you, and everyone who loves trans folks and trans athletes, in the light.
Right back at you. Grateful to be in community with people like you 🩷
Frankie, your work has not been in vain. The toxic masculinity that has drowned out the voices of inclusivity and community is backlash against all that women have accomplished. To me, it is apparent that trans girls and women are being treated as more dangerous women than cis women. Is it an affront to their sense of self and identity that any “man” would willingly surrender that privilege to be a woman? I am saddened that more people and groups are not standing up for our sisters - as it seems MAGA and the current administration are only worried about trans girls/women and focused on isolating and punishing them. Are we being protected whether we want it or not?
Devastating. Hugs and solidarity. Us cisgender people need to step the eff up.
You're valuable, your work is vital, and I am grateful you're here.
It’s all devastating. So extremely scary and sad all around. Your feelings are so valid and you and your work are important and true. We’re still in this 💜
Thank you for doing what you do. It's so valuable not only for the 12 current badass trans collegiate athletes, and the kids aspiring to get there, but also everyone else who cares about this issue and sees it as a civil/human rights matter. Seems like we are going to have to navigate a rather long arc of history before it bends back toward justice for trans athletes, especially given advocates' sense that right now there aren't enough resources to fight every battle and others are more critical. You have educated a lot of folks, and helped the ones already living the issue feel seen, and that is worth a lot.
Just echoing the comments below: I'm heartbroken for and with you and all my trans kin. And also: your work has not been for nothing. But I'm also angry for you, for everyone, and it makes sense that you're feeling defeated. I hope so much that feeling can pass sooner than later, because I truly believe your writing matters. Thank you for all you do and have done, and I'm so sorry the world is such garbage.
Thanks for being in the trenches with me, friend.
Honestly, it would be even worse if people like you weren't around doing the work you do. That kinda sucks because it's shitty times right now in so many ways. But your work does matter and it has always mattered. That's why I subscribed. And it's in the most difficult of times that your work is even more valuable.
I'm glad re-inc and the NWSLPA said something. But I also wish they'd been explicit in their posts that this means trans women and trans girls in women's sports. (And maybe they were and I missed it.) Posts that are vague or general enough that they could be interpreted as protecting women's sports via the exclusion of trans women doesn't pass muster to me.
And a few years ago it didn't feel like that was too much to ask.
One of the reasons we haven't seen as much defense from supposed allies -- I suspect -- is that MAGA is attacking so many communities that many people are deluged and overwhelmed. And that is the intent....to overwhelm us into not feeling able to respond or fight.
And continue to fight we must. And like you I will never shut up. Thank you for providing more impetus to keep going.
Let me put this into a Boston context—you've hit Heartbreak Hill. You've put in the effort on training, on HH executing, and you've been excelling. All of a sudden it goes vertical on you. You're in the last quarter of the race and now it really gets hard. You're up against Rosie Ruiz, happy that they've been able to hide from scrutiny all this way and make others pay the price, while they gather the accolades. We know how that ends.
America is not built for working Americans anymore, and to protect the billionaires from pitchforks (and ghost guns), they've created scapegoats to distract suburban moms from noticing their rights being stripped away. The NCAA and the sports leagues don't care about athletes, they are financial service organizations with a clientele more exclusive than BlackRock, who only count dollars.
When the tide turns and the current ring of grifters is discarded, and balance is returned, the challenges you face will be a distant memory. No one will question trans-athletes, because they will be athletes. These are dark times and some of us may not survive to see the light return, but it is our responsibility to defend and protect those who the powers have chosen to vilify.
Don't give up—every push back, every rejection is another step up the hill. Beacon Street and the roaring crowds in Coolidge and Kenmore await!
I have a trans teenage girl who is deeply into competitive cycling, and already gave up racing because she knew she would be excluded from competing. It’s so hard. I appreciate the work you are doing.
I see you. I feel you. I appreciate you. 🫶🏼