Transitioning and playing sports

[Sara Murphy]

Back in my day I was a very good athlete.  I played college soccer.  I loved playing baseball more, but I was a much better soccer player and that is what put me through school.

The question I pose to the collective is how do you go about playing sports again?

I would think that being accepted on men's or women's teams would be troublesome.  I have reffed soccer for most of my adult life and I have had to deal with allegations in women's matches where they questioned whether a player was a man or women.  My answer incidentally would be "I am not touching that in any way.  You are going to have to figure that out for yourself, I just blow the whistle".  On the other side, after hormones and facial surgeries, I can see it being a big issue trying to play on men's teams.  Even if you would have the skills to compete, you would be the women playing with men which is not a comfortable situation.

I guess you could be subject to a life of coed sports and leave it up to the ref to figure out the rules.  Poor guy.

[Catherine Sarah]

Interesting point you raise Sara,

I'm inclined to think if you move towards transition, HRT may answer a lot of those questions for you. Not only does HRT change you physically, it also changes you mentally, intellectually. If you leave yourself open to new ways of thinking, new interests, and a new outlook or perspective on life, you could be in for the most amazing journey of a lifetime.

Initially scary? You betcha!!. But I personally, wouldn't have it any other way. I've come to the realisation that dreams DO come true. I'm now waiting patiently (almost  😛 ) for the unimaginable. This is just such an exciting time of life. Half the stuff I've done, I couldn't have dreamed of 10 years ago, and today it's a reality. Some of it a daily choice or task. Gobsmacking.

Just remember what fear stands for: False Evidence Appearing Real.

In the short time you've been here, you've made fantastic strides forward. I just urge you to strap yourself in and keep doing what you are doing, and I'll guarantee you an absolutely fabulous life.

Be safe, well and happy.
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[VickyMI]

Your question is something I have thought about a lot but more so in the physical changes from HRT.

I play soccer, tennnis and golf and all of these require strength.  If you take HRT soon enough you will not be able to compete with the guys.  So you are forced to either stop playing or go full time and play from the red tees.  This is something I think about a lot because I am considering pursuing HRT but do not want to transition completely at least not in the foreseable future.

I wonder is there anyone else out there on HRT but not tansitioned and still playing competitive men sports?

[Sara Murphy]

Greetings follow Michigander.

I have heard about the muscle loss, but I wonder if it will be so much so that I will be knocked down to that level.  No intention on being mean with that comment, but even at my weakest I have a feeling I would run circles around others on the women's teams.

I wonder if there have ever been studies?  My guess is no, but I do have a curious mind.

In my viewing of YouTube transition stories I did come across a girl, in Colorado, I believe that was a soccer and basketball player.  She transition either in high school or college and made a few videos on the subject.  I have long since forgotten her name.  I wish I could find them again.

[patstar]

As someone who still plays weekend basketball (in male mode) with her cousins in the late spring and summer and who probably always be a bit of a tomboy, I should put my two cents in on this noteworthy topic.  In fact the more that think about it, the more I realize just how close it is to my heart. 

Your question is something I have thought about a lot but more so in the physical changes from HRT.

I play soccer, tennnis and golf and all of these require strength.  If you take HRT soon enough you will not be able to compete with the guys.  So you are forced to either stop playing or go full time and play from the red tees.  This is something I think about a lot because I am considering pursuing HRT but do not want to transition completely at least not in the foreseable future.

I wonder is there anyone else out there on HRT but not tansitioned and still playing competitive men sports?

Yes--as far as competing against men--strength is already an issue for me in my weekend competitions.  I rarely even attempt a 3-point shoot (let alone make one).  Even though I have rededicated myself to an extent in the gym, the upper-body strength just is NOT there.  (I have never had any problems with lean feminine muscles on women.  In fact, I've long loved an admired many female bodybuilders.)  I have a significantly female chest; so I wear a sports bra, under a snug compression T-shirt, under a top tee shirt or tank-top to conceal my condition.  (I do pretty much the same at my gym.)  Being in full female mode and competing against women obviously is a whole other question.

My large thought on the subject is that we in the LBGT community must to a certain degree--at least until the world changes a GREAT deal--create our own sports leagues, fitness clubs, etc to truly feel comfortable in these situations.  (How comfortable are gays to really be themselves at most gyms and fitness clubs?)  Many of us in the transgendered community do indeed like to stay fit and play sports.  Thank you for broaching the subject Sara Murphy!

Why can't/hasn't, at least for the most part, what I put forth be/been done?  I personally have had a lot of ideas over the past 4 or 5 years, but no resources.

While I'm currently nowhere near having the means for a much desired relocation, I seriously believe that I would be absolutely inspired to do so just to be part of a "gurl"'s (baseball is my first love) softball team, lol.

[Nygeel]

Some sports organizations have rules of needing to be on hormones for a certain amount of time or needing surgery. Then, there's also some co-ed sports that are mostly for recreational fun. Slow pitch softball, and bowling leagues are two things that come to mind. I do know there are transgender marathon runners out there, and at least one who does mountain bike racing.

I'm not sure what the Gay Games has for rules with transgender athletes, but it would be something worth checking out.