Finishing the race

Over the summer, I participated in four 5K races. First of all, that is a record for me and I felt really good about this accomplishment. I decided that once I started hormones that I would do my best to stay active knowing that my fat would reposition itself, mainly to my belly. My belly didn't need to grow, so I challenged myself. The last three races I entered and finished even earned me a medal!

All of the races used only two gender indicators (male/female) to register for the race. This included the Pride race.

Two of the races used chips for tracking the time we finished the race. Two of them used the bib system where they collected the time we finished at the end tearing off the number on the edge of the bib. The bibs were divided into the two gender indicators by which side we ended on. There were two paths, one for men, one for women.

Since I had registered as a male for all the races, it made sense to me that I would end the 2 races with the bib system in the male path. After the first race under these conditions, the person asked me if I was sure if I was on the correct side, suggesting that I should be on the women's side. I told them that I was aware of my gender identity and that I was on the correct side. While they appeared frustrated with my answer, they added my bib to the male collection.

The second race, later in the summer under the same conditions, ended even better. The person not only suggested that I was a woman and that I was on the wrong side, they wanted to argue with me after I told them that I was indeed very aware of my gender identity and knew exactly what I was doing.

It takes some chutzpah to argue with someone about their gender after they have just finished a race. And what still perplexes me is, why does it matter? You only gave me two choices when I registered. I picked one. I used the same gender indicator when I finished the race. What exactly is the problem?

I have lots of questions.

Why do we gender races?
Who stands to lose, if anything, if races aren't gendered?
Will someone create a race that I can participate in where it doesn't matter what my gender is?

I'm hoping for some lively discussion and hopefully some answers and action to make something I have come to really enjoy, more inclusive not just for me, but for others who may be trans* or gender non conforming.

Comments

be like water | erev rosh hashana d'var 5785

🎶 Be easy, take your time, you are coming home to yourself, coming home to yourself. 🎶 We have gathered at the appointed time to bless the creation of this world. Yet as we gather, we continue to witness the devastation and despair that hurricane helene has left in its wake. And the Israeli govt is expanding its war, destroying homes and families and so many lives that represent entire worlds. and here we are. Some of us feel rage, anxiety, or fear. Some of us are feeling discouraged, lonely or even uncertain what to feel. And some of us are feeling grateful for this opportunity to gather with beloveds or excited for the possibilities that can come as the new year is finally upon us. And i am sure that there is a mixture of some or all of these feelings. whatever and however you feel is just right and is welcome here. may it be so that this ritual, this spiritual technology that we have been gifted with, gives you just what you need right here and right now. 🎶Be easy, take your t

Hope and Change

We live in a dangerous time. It continues to be unsafe to walk in this world and hold any of the identities I have. We can try on the fact that while I drove to Mizzou a few weeks ago, I drove under the speed limit as my friend and I half jokingly said, "we don't want to become road kill on the way." What a sick thought to hold. But it was in my brain and it is because I and many others like me have been absolutely terrorized by the state violence that continues every few hours here in america. As a Jew, I can catch hell from all sides. You got the folks who just hate Jews on GP. Then you have those who can seem well meaning in their attempts to disagree with what is happening in Israel but are indeed anti-Semitic. Then you have the Jews who consider themselves to be white who act like Jews of Color don't and have never existed and shouldn't have a voice. I think they tick me off the most. As a Trans person, I have yet to remotely find a safe place outsid

28 days --- 56 ways to be Young, Gifted and Black: Mimi Borders

How do you spend your days? I love days that give me room to breathe and reflect. Typically, I am really busy with school work, research and extra-curricular activities. But this semester I am studying at the University of Ghana and I have more flexibility and control over my time. I do mindfulness meditations in the morning, yoga, write and daydream. Daydreaming is one of my favorite things to do - and it doesn't always have to be a solitary activity. I love dreaming out loud with my friends talking about how we want (WILL) to change the world, the places we will travel, the books we will write, how we will liberate ourselves and our communities. I drink a lot of water during the day and usually get sad at some point thinking about what is currently happening in the USA but I try and write myself out of the dark cloud. What brings you joy? My family is profoundly incredible. My parents are compassionate, emotionally intelligent people that always have uplifted an

The fantastic adventures of Koach Baruch

Search This Blog