The world is constantly evolving. Whether in technology or society, nothing remains the same for long. The LGBTQ+ community has faced significant challenges over the years, enduring countless movements, struggles and protests to secure the rights they have today—rights that should have been guaranteed to them from the start as citizens of the United States. Transgender identity is not a new concept but one that has gained more recognition and acceptance over time. In the U.S., everyone is granted the freedom to be or become whoever they choose, and transgender individuals should be no exception. Like everyone else, they should have the right to choose their gender identity and express themselves as they see fit. However, their choices should not be imposed on others.
There's a prevailing notion of acceptance that often manifests as conformity in our society, pressuring people to accept choices or ideologies that conflict with their own beliefs out of fear of being labeled as "other" or "opposing." Today, especially with the influence of social media, anyone can be labeled as homophobic, even when the victim is simply expressing confusion or concern about a child's ability to make life-altering decisions regarding gender transition. The quick application of the "homophobic" label often leads individuals to retract and conform to ideas they may not agree with or feel uncomfortable accepting.
Just as transgender women have faced struggles, so too have biological women, from fighting for suffrage to battling for abortion rights. They should not have to compete for gender recognition in sports, bathrooms or their own comfort spaces. A prime example is the case of Lia Thomas, a transgender woman who competed in the women's division at the University of Pennsylvania, ultimately winning an NCAA Division I national championship. This situation escalated when Lia Thomas shared a locker with biological females, even though she still had male genitalia, making all the women in the locker room uncomfortable.
This instance sparked debate about whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in women's sports or share women's locker rooms—since some believe that transgender women, while women, are not biological women. Their biological advantages can create an uneven playing field, making it unfair to include them in women's sports. When Riley Gaines voiced her concerns about a transgender woman competing in the female division, Lia Thomas accused her of using the "guise of feminism to sort of push transphobic beliefs," effectively labeling Gaines as transphobic for expressing her discomfort.
Women should not be sidelined to accommodate transgender women. Earlier this year, there was widespread outrage when Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman, was awarded "Woman of the Year" instead of a biological female. This decision angered women around the world, who felt that the achievements of biological women were being overshadowed and diminished in the name of inclusivity. This issue seems to be one faced only by biological women, as biological males are not being pushed aside or expected to make way for transgender men.
Transgender individuals have the right to feel accepted and included, but their inclusion should not come at the expense of biological women. There should be separate categories for transgender individuals in sports, bathrooms and other spaces. Their perspectives and struggles are important, but they should not take precedence over those of biological women. Conformity should not replace true inclusivity, and women should not feel pressured to conform to ideas, opinions or issues that conflict with their beliefs, customs and well-being.
Acknowledgment: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individual author.
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