Instead of riding them, Bethany Hamilton is making waves again after a video splashed onto the scene from surf company Rip Curl Women. Bethany responded in a Twitter post that reads, “Male-bodied athletes should not be competing in female sports. Period.” This comes 11 months after she said she will not be competing in the World Surf league since they are allowing men to compete in the women’s division.
In a nut (no pun intended) shell, the Rip Curl video was a montage of highlights of a surfer who was a man but is now a woman. In the rip current (see what I did there?) aftermath of the video, Rip Curl stated that they aren’t partnering with this surfer, she (he) is not sponsored by the brand, and basically has no ties whatsoever with Rip Curl. I haven’t seen an anything go backwards that fast since Michael Jackson. Hee hee! (or shee shee if we’re being politically correct)
Gosh, some poeple just love to be offended, don’t they? Did they even catch the part about creating a new division? Yeah, Bethany suggested (and others have, as well) creating a separate category for trans athletes to showcase their passion and skill in the sport they love. I can’t see how that would be a bad thing, except that that group of offended people won’t have anything to argue about. Side rant: Does anyone else get the vibe that this group is using the trans athlete drama to exercise their desire for control? It appears that they want everyone to believe exactly the same things they do and if you don’t, you’re a bigot or a racist or a sexist or a misogynist or a you’re just not enlightened.
The water is gotten a little choppy from Bethany Hamilton’s, and Riley Gaines for that matter, stance on trans inclusion. But it’s much ado about nothing. Just make a new division, problem solved. If this offended group would stop and think about it for a second, I sincerely hope they’d realize that it would be a huge step for trans athletes. Not only can they compete without controversy, but these pioneers of sport (because trans in sports is kind of a new thing) will be heralded in history as trailblazers. In every sport, they’ll be able to say, “(person’s name) is the first trans woman (or man) to win the (sport) championship!” Think about the honor and prestige that comes with that. Hey, it’s better than being born a man or woman and sucking at their sport of choice. They can switch genders and dominate and get all the awards. Isn’t that the end goal, recognition as a real athlete?
Until then, hop over to Missouri where Bethany Hamilton is joining Riley Gaines for a story time at a local library in the Springfield area today, February 2nd. They’ll be reading from their books, both which encourage bravery. Pay no mind to the protesters who plan to be there, who are mostly women. They’re not truly thinking about the best interests of the trans athletes, they just enjoy opposing people who aren’t exactly like them, which is pretty ironic.
All of you living in the Show-Me State, show up and show support for Bethany and Riley! Also, follow them on Instagram… @BethanyHamilton and @RileyGBarker
-Out of the Wilderness
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