By Jeff Davidson
In Denmark this month, a transsexual woman was awarded the top prize, “Miss Universe Denmark.” Despite whatever talent this otherwise attractive individual has, a whole set of questions ought to be considered.
What is the mission and value statement of the agencies and the respective countries that hold such competitions? In the case of a female beauty contest, is it not to reward those of the feminine gender who have shown not merely beauty, but brilliance, public service, poise, and appropriate demeanor?
Procedures for All Occasions
If somebody undergoes one or more of the specific medical procedures that enables them to enter the contest, does that change the overall mission? If not, what are the limits to someone incurring surgeries to gain greater favor from contest judges and the viewing public?
What about breast enhancement? What about dental implants to create a perfect smile? What about rhinoplasty to make a rather plain nose more attractive? What about any one of a number of other procedures widely available today that a contestant could undertake to increase the chances of victory?
If someone is undergoing a sex change operation, and we have to assume that other enhancements were involved in the total transformation, why not open up the ranks of such contests to anybody anywhere who has any kind of procedure?
Spring Forward, Fall Back
When Oscar Pistorius, the South African sprinter who runs on springs, was competing in national and international competitions, many people felt it not fair to allow this individual to compete. He lost his feet at 11 months due to a congenital defect, and we all sympathize. However, shouldn’t he be competing against others who have similar mechanical enhancements?
What if a manufacturer is able to create springs in place of feet, enabling average sprinters to proceed noticeably faster than the best sprinters in the world? Where does that leave footed sprinters? Should they remove their feet? Absurd, you say? Well then, should they just give up?
Many years ago, Tiger Woods underwent an operation to improve his vision. He did not have poor vision at the time. He had 20/20 vision. He had it altered so that his vision would be even stronger than 20/20. Was that acceptable? The Professional Golfers Association didn’t seem perturbed. Have other golfers undergone the same procedure? Have other athletes undergone other procedures to enhance their ability to compete?
The Fine Line
When and where do you draw the line? In professional weightlifting, Olympic weightlifting, and other such contests, performance-enhancing drugs have been outlawed. This is also true in all other major sporting events. On occasion, however, the tests are not conclusive. Some cheaters sneak by. And some win contests as a result of performance-enhancing substances that went undetectable.
If people can alter their bodies via surgery, substances consumed, or any other means that will enhance their ability to compete, how are others who have not had such advantages and do not finish in the winner’s circle supposed to feel? Have they not been denied a fair and equal opportunity to compete?
In virtually every instance, competitors in such national and international events have devoted long hours and many years of their lives to hone and refine their capabilities, techniques, and approaches to their respective endeavors.
Speak Up Before the Mass Absurdity
Riley Gaines is a female swimmer who has been outspoken about the dangers of having biological females competing against who was originally a biological male such as NCAA champion Lia Thomas. And then there are a host of locker room issues with which to grapple. Gaines is as articulate a spokesperson for this topic as you’ll ever encounter. Few others have the guts to speak up as she has. My guess is that a large “silent majority” feels the same way as she does.
What’s needed now, more than ever, is for legions of female athletes to make themselves heard. It is not enough to simply say, “I did my best, it was an unfair advantage for the winner, but I guess I’ll just move on.” A generation of young female athletes is waiting in the wings.
Even when females do speak up, as Martina Navratilova has done, you have others on the Left, such as the perpetually annoying Megan Rapinoe, who voice opinions against their own gender. Unfortunately, one cranky Megan Rapinoe, supported thoroughly by the Leftist media, drowns out the voices of many opposers. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is.
Stand Up and Walk Out
Pundits have suggested that female athletes can regain control of their respective sports via mass walkouts. In other words, do not compete when a competitor who has gone through puberty as a male is wreaking havoc at female events.
Suppose female swimmers take their places on the blocks and as the horn sounds to start the race, they turn and simply leave the pool area. Let Lia Thomas win by default and finish alone in the pool. That would make a great news story that would be impossible to ignore.
Really, a couple of mass walkouts should do it.
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Jeff Davidson is “The Work-Life Balance Expert®” and the premier thought leader on work-life balance, integration, and harmony. Jeff speaks to organizations that seek to enhance their overall productivity by improving the effectiveness of their people. He is the author of Breathing Space, Simpler Living, Dial it Down, and Everyday Project Management.
