A newspaper in the US has published a full-page ad targeting transgender people.
Anti-LGBT group The Minnesota Child Protection League bought the ad, which directly addresses parents, in the Sunday Star Tribune.
The ad says: “A male wants to shower next to your 14 year old daughter. Are you okay with that?”
The ad.
The ad, published on Sunday, is a response to a proposed policy change by the Minnesota State High School League that would allow transgender students to participate in the gendered team of their choosing in certain circumstances. The policy would also provide trans students avenues for corrective action if a school district fails to comply, LGBTQ Nation reports.
The ad drew criticism on Twitter, with one user writing: “@StarTribune you have GOT to be kidding me! WTH?”
“I’m ready to cancel my @StarTribune Sunday subscription over the ridiculous anti-transgender ad they allowed in today’s paper,” another tweeted.
The League will vote on the policy Wednesday.
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Top Comments
I think the hateful nature of this ad is really disgusting. I have no issue with the proposed changes in theory, however, upon further considering the full implications, I think there is an issue with with young females being exposed a penis, and young males being exposed to breasts and a vagina, and them having absolutely no choice in the matter. Whether the owner of the penis identifies as a male or a female, that doesn't change the fact they have a penis. No one, especially children and teenagers, should ever have to be exposed to nudity of the opposite sex without their consent, and by allowing transgenders to choose which change rooms they are using, you are taking the choice away from all the other team members. Perhaps if there was a private area within the changing rooms for them to use so the other team members are not being exposed to any nudity they are not comfortable with. I'm a huge supporter of equality amongst gays, straights, transgendesr, blacks, white, unicorns! But these changes would result in won't lead to equality, it will be giving one person the ability to make a choice that could make for an uncomfortable situation for many young girls or boys
I think this ad is despicable. It is hate-mongering and blowing things out of proportion.
From my experience (over 20 years of high level sport, including many lesbian teammates) the focus here is on the wrong issue. Getting changes/showering with the team? I bet most transgender teens would be very conscious of not putting themselves in the path of complaints or harassment, they would probably be very sensitive to their teammates feeling or discomfort. And the team would probably work with them in the same way. Most of the lesbians I have played (adult) sport with have been this way - very keen to ensure that others, especially younger girls, do not feel uncomfortable.
But getting changed in front of each other is a part of team sport, and it's a good thing, I think. At least in adult sport, not necessarily in high school. Being in a room with other women who are all doing the same thing, it helps you to feel more comfortable in your own skin. It's not sexual, no one checks you out or comments on your body, you are just there, usually talking about the game or what you are doing next.
To me, the bigger issue is touched on in the ad but not really the article - what about fairness within the sport? I really want trans people to be accepted and feel comfortable in society and in sport, but as a woman I feel it's unfair for me to have to race against a trans woman who probably has fast-twitch muscles making her faster. Or playing basketball against someone who can easily out jump me (and probably dunk). Or what about playing football, and being tackled by someone "born a man"? I'm torn on this issue and don't really know what the right answer is.