Appeal to victimhood while victimizing others
Linda Blade on the Lia Thomas question:
The recent editorial in Swimming World Magazine defending the right of Lia Thomas (LT) to swim as a woman deserves a response.
Allow me to begin this critique with applause for author Lucas Draper (LD). As a female athlete who self-identifies as a man, LD has chosen the ethical pathway in competing in a much more difficult field with male swimmers rather than to be competing unfairly against fellow females while doping.
Unfortunately, in the manner typical of proponents of gender ideology, LD’s editorial comments deploy escalating levels of emotional gaslighting.
Facts and arguments don’t make their case, so emotional bludgeoning is all they have. Unfortunately it works.
Fourthly, there is an appeal to victimhood while victimizing others: “Lia Thomas experiences far more scrutiny over her physical form than I will ever have to deal with” and putting the focus on LT is “mean.” Also, Lia “does not deserve to be at the center of this issue.” Yes, of course LT is scrutinized! Because being biologically male in a female competition is not fair. Scrutiny by officials and the public is part of sports. It is not being “mean.” LT chooses to be in the spotlight.
He also chooses to compete against women half his size.
Contrary to what was presented to the NCAA back in 2011, all research to date indicates that medical intervention is completely inadequate in transforming a male body into the female design – anatomically or physiologically – as discussed in this review of the literature by Hilton and Lundberg.
Given the overwhelming scientific evidence now available showing that males will always maintain a physical advantage over females in sports involving strength, speed, power and reaction time, the NCAA must undertake a re-assessment of its policy ASAP!
No matter how much emotional blackmail is sent their way.
Perhaps if some form of surgical hobbling is added in as a prerequisite for participation in female sports. /s
The “Harrison Bergeron” policy, I take it.
At last we have ONE example of a female to male trans athlete competing in their chosen gender’s field. Lucas isn’t sweeping the medals up in batches, is he? I recall in the last summer Olympics, a member of the Canadian women’s soccer team came out as a trans male…without changing teams.
Can we really know how much opportunism is involved with Lia Thomas and co? Is the obscene competitive advantage really a motive to transition all by itself?
Amid all the questions about WilLIAm Thomas’ recent performance, one sticks out. He was defeated in one race by Iszac Henig, a woman who claims to be a man, and who is apparently undergoing some medical transition. Usually this involves testosterone. Why is she competing against Mr Thomas? Doesn’t gender identity trump sex? And if she’s deemed a woman for this competition, why was she not considered doping? (I guess that’s two questions.)