Breakthrough with sports!

[LatrellHK]

So on Monday I went in to talk to the athletic director about doing track and being transgender. I was unaware that this was already an issue with transgender students and sports, teams and eligibility. I care about the track team, I do. I don't wanna see them be hurt or DQ'd from state and such because of me. I don't wanna screw everyone up so I made that a point. But guess I don't gotta worry. I was told while I may not be able to be on the boys team I still can run track and it will not screw everyone up. I did say I may be starting hormones by Feb, after my 18th bday, and throughout the season if I do start then. He told me it's fine and I might even be switched to the boys team then if all goes well.

Now we do have one serious issue: My eligibility for state. I will be taking T by then and it might just screw me over if I make it to state. Even regional. So we gotta work that out when we cross that bridge. Also NCAA. Again: I'll have been on T and on a girls team throughout high school and if I go out for NCAA, I might be unable to. We're working that out now because I'm a senior now and it's important that we get that worked out ASAP.

Besides those two issues, we're good. I am not happy about the tight uniforms one way or another but as long as I can run with the team and be an extremely proud BHS track member, I'm happy.

[Bimmer Guy]

So on Monday I went in to talk to the athletic director about doing track and being transgender. I was unaware that this was already an issue with transgender students and sports, teams and eligibility. I care about the track team, I do. I don't wanna see them be hurt or DQ'd from state and such because of me. I don't wanna screw everyone up so I made that a point. But guess I don't gotta worry. I was told while I may not be able to be on the boys team I still can run track and it will not screw everyone up. I did say I may be starting hormones by Feb, after my 18th bday, and throughout the season if I do start then. He told me it's fine and I might even be switched to the boys team then if all goes well.

Now we do have one serious issue: My eligibility for state. I will be taking T by then and it might just screw me over if I make it to state. Even regional. So we gotta work that out when we cross that bridge. Also NCAA. Again: I'll have been on T and on a girls team throughout high school and if I go out for NCAA, I might be unable to. We're working that out now because I'm a senior now and it's important that we get that worked out ASAP.

Besides those two issues, we're good. I am not happy about the tight uniforms one way or another but as long as I can run with the team and be an extremely proud BHS track member, I'm happy.

I suspect you won't be able to play on any women's competitive sports teams if you are taking T.  It is something to consider.

[KamTheMan]

You can and should be disqualified from women's teams the second you start taking testosterone. But I really hope you are able to make the guys team. Personally, I would have played a lot more sports if I'd started transitioning in high school, or at least tried to, instead of just basketball.

[Jak]

I was so proud of my alma mater for this: http://www.outsports.com/out-gay-athletes/2013/2/21/4015388/kye-allums-first-transgender-man-playing-ncaa-womens-basketball

As you'll see, near the end, the NCAA position (at least in 2010) was that hormone treatment would have excluded him from the women's team.

Good luck!

[JenniR04]

Hi LatrelHK,

Congrats on taking the first big steps in being honest and talking to your athletic director and outing yourself. It's good to know they'll work with you and help you to be the best you can be, and looking out for your longer range goals of competing post-secondarily (ie: college and the NCAA).

Like others have said prior, I think it's important for you to consider when you start. I don't know for sure, but I believe once you start taking "T", that you be dis-qualified from competing in women's athletics, even though it will take a small amount of time before any real changes will create and significant advantage. I am also from. Minnesota (Blaine to be exact) and although I am much older than you, I followed the State High School's adoption of the trans-inclusive right policies very closely, and it's fortunate for you to be competing at such a remarkable time in our states history. I was 25 years before you and was very closeted in hi school because of the fear of any number of reasons (insert anything you can think of).

My advice: make sure you do your homework on your eligibility and how it all might affect your status of one team or the other, plus keep the communication open with your AD and coach, and any possible colleges you may be looking to attend, along with the. NCAA guidelines regarding eligibility for "T" athletes.

Good luck and keep us updated with your progress and what you learn along the ways, it might invaluable to help others that come behind you in similar situations.

[LatrellHK]

Thanks for the info I'll definitely keep it in mind. I'm just happy I could still at least be in track for a while. Knowing I'll be 18 one month before track and probably won't be starting hormone treatment until halfway through March, or April idk how long these things take, I should be good. Anyway I'll look into it and do a bit more hw and see where it takes me.

[Wolfy]

I'm pretty sure you're allowed on the boys team if you want??

My friend signed up for track but he didn't end up going because he was lazy, lol. But who said you can't go on the boys team, the school or the kids? If the schools doing that I don't believe that is even allowed.



http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Transgender_Handbook_2011_Final.pdf

[LatrellHK]

The director did only because we both know how these people in the city may react to me being on the boys team. The main concern is me having breasts. The outfits are skin tight and they WILL show and its a dead giveaway, especially if I'm not wearing a packer here. It's a real safety concern and some people out here already confronted me, quite aggressively, upon the realization that I am still female. So, in his words, "You know as well as I do that some students don't like having homosexuals around as is, right?" I agreed and he said, "So for your safety, it might be best to put you on the girls team. I know you can defend yourself against a high school boy but maybe not a bunch of grown men."

In all reality, it is a safety problem and I would much rather run track rather with the girls than risk getting jumped. I'm black and transgender in a semi-racist/homophobic town. I don't wanna find out how bad it can get if you understand. Otherwise he did say it's up to me in the long run.

[Wolfy]

I would of been irritated if they didn't give me the choice to pick a team.  I can understand where you're coming from though!

The only thing is, when you start T you can't be on the womens team anymore.

[LoriLorenz]

I hope this works out well for you, and I hope to GOD that some day all these silly narrow minded ideas go AWOL and stay that way!