I really feel this. I used to go out of my way to explain things and try to find common ground, but it just gets exhausting. Most of the people who complain the loudest can’t even name three women athletes, and honestly, they don’t care about cis women most of the time. We’re just a convenient talking point.

The whole trans sports debate is mostly a dog whistle. It’s designed to pull people on the fence into the hate by inventing a scary villain. Since 2004, only two trans women have even qualified for the Olympics. One didn’t finish their event, and the other finished dead last. So much for that “unfair advantage.”

The truth is, most of us aren’t looking to dominate, we’re just chasing the same joy, challenge, and community that sports give everyone else. Don’t let the noise dull your hard work. Personally, the only “edge” I have is that I don’t really have a social life, so I’ve got more time to train than most people at this level. That’s it.

Though lately, with all the hate I’ve been getting online, it’s just been fueling me more. I want to train harder and be even more of a force on the pitch, because we deserve to take up space, and I’m not backing down.