So, as somewhat expected, the LPGA players voted to eliminate the organization's "female at birth" participation policy. Yesterday the group decided, prompted by the recent lawsuit by Lana Lawless, to change its ways.So, yea!I don't have much more to say on this one. I recommend everyone take a look … [Read more...]
More on gender and sport in the not-so-binary system
USA Today ran this piece focusing on Lana Lawless, or rather leading with the golfer's story, but extending the discussion to gender in sport, i.e. when gender is not so neatly packaged. The LPGA was scheduled to gather for a players' meeting in which they would consider the "female by birth" rule … [Read more...]
Coming out, being queer-and sport, of course
Oh gender and sexual identity, how you confound me! But in that good way I so enjoy.Three things--but one thing--but kind of three.Where to begin?Well I've been thinking about queerness and homonormativity and voice and visibility of late. And not always in the context of sport. But all very … [Read more...]
Props to the LPGA
Well I take back all my previous criticisms of the LPGA.Ok, I don't exactly take them back. But I give the organization--now under new leadership--major props, praise, and applause.It appears that the recent lawsuit brought by golfer Lana Lawless challenging the organization's "female by birth" … [Read more...]
LPGA set to allow transgender women to play
On October 13, I posted a story about Lana Lawson who is a transgender woman suing the LPGA for the right to play in LPGA sponsored events. Currently LPGA competitions are restricted to golfers who are "female at birth" effectively excluding transgender women. The LPGA added this to their by-laws … [Read more...]
Monday dribble: Gender busting, rankings, and streaking
Positive strides for gender empowerment were made last week. Well, "positive" if you share a similar liberal view. Others watching Kye Allums help his women's basketball team win, legend Nancy Lieberman coach men, or Daisy Lane officiate an NBA D-League game might have wondered if an apocalypse was … [Read more...]
Gender, transgender and women’s basketball
There are times when it's not easy being a female athlete. There are times when you're criticized for being too muscular, too aggressive, acting and playing too much like a guy. Ah, but go too far the other way, emphasize your femininity, and you're not a real athlete, not to be taken seriously, … [Read more...]
How do we talk about her…um, him….or is it her?
I guess I should be okay with the fact that the worst (that we've heard of) that has happened to George Washington's Kye Allums after his announcement of his gender change is that the media doesn't quite know how to talk about him.Nevertheless, confusion within the media likely reflects confusion in … [Read more...]
2 Important Firsts in Sport for Marginalized Groups
1. Afghanistan is poised to get their first national women's team. The sport will be cricket and the Afghanistan Cricket Board feels cricket will allow the women to play a sport but remain consistent with Islamic tradition and values. To read more about the team click here. 2. This weekend a … [Read more...]
The wasted cultural obsessions of women’s sports
Forgive my tardiness in getting around to the case of Kye Allums, who plays for the women's basketball team at George Washington University and is in the midst of a female-to-male transgender process. I was waiting for the tidal wave of coverage about Allums' story - much of it sympathetic to his … [Read more...]