Advocates Warn: Anti-Trans Violence Poses Threat to Cisgender Women of Color

This story was originally published by The 19th, in partnership with Them.

Imane Khelif, an accomplished boxer representing Algeria, distinguished herself at the Olympics by winning gold in the women’s welterweight tournament. The acclaim came not only from the Algerian public, who traveled great distances to support her, but also from media outlets that dubbed her a “heroine.” However, as Khelif entered the ring for the second time in Paris, her identity and athletic prowess became subjects of intense scrutiny.

A false narrative emerged, labeling Khelif a transgender woman, which experts note reflects a broader trend of anti-transgender sentiment leading to severe backlash against women of color. “This spectacle of surveillance on women’s bodies, especially when they exceed expectations, highlights entrenched biases,” stated Treva B. Lindsey, a professor at Ohio State University.

Gender policing, which enforces traditional norms and punishes those deviating from them, has broader implications. Toni Newman of the National Minority AIDS Council emphasized that such scrutiny is now also affecting cisgender women, raising alarms about the policing of feminine norms. “This is about expressing identity, not just for transgender individuals but for all women,” Newman remarked.

Legislative actions across 25 states, which ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, have prompted harmful insecurities about women’s appearances and athletic capabilities. In a troubling incident in Utah, a school board member inaccurately claimed that a high school athlete was transgender, leading to significant harassment directed at the student.

The scrutiny driven by public figures, including former President Donald Trump and author J.K. Rowling, intensified during Khelif’s Olympic journey, as speculation about her identity became rampant. Even Khelif’s next opponent participated in the conversation, sharing an inflammatory meme ahead of their match. Despite this, Khelif emerged victorious.

Experts argue that the anti-transgender narrative demands strict adherence to a binary conception of gender. Lindsey noted that such rigidity poses a specific danger to women of color, whose non-conformity provokes fierce backlash in the realm of sports and beyond.

Angel Joy Flores, a transfemme trainer, emphasized that transgender women have become scapegoats in broader efforts to control all women’s bodies, warning that political discourse could soon extend to monitoring women and girls in educational settings.

To address the misinformation, Khelif’s father publicly released her birth certificate, affirming her status as female. The International Olympic Committee has condemned the cyber harassment directed at Khelif, describing it as politically motivated.

Furthermore, Khelif has lodged a criminal complaint in France against individuals, including Rowling and Musk, claiming their remarks contributed to a pattern of online abuse. Her recent disqualification from a boxing championship under dubious circumstances has fueled further speculation about her gender identity. However, the details surrounding the eligibility tests remain intentionally vague.

Mark Adams from the IOC cautioned against a return to a punitive gender-testing regime, citing the detrimental effects such scrutiny has had historically on women of color, particularly those with intersex traits. Past cases, like that of South African athlete Caster Semenya, underscore the risks associated with invasive testing and the disproportionate targeting of women who challenge binary gender norms.

The ramifications of this debate extend beyond sports, impacting broader perceptions of gender and identity. Nonbinary individuals, like Nick Pham, express concern that the fixation on Khelif’s identity further entrenches a harmful gender binary that disregards their existence. “This creates fear and discourages authenticity,” Pham noted.

In an emotional response to the ongoing resistance, Khelif highlighted the broader implications of her experience: “This issue affects the dignity of all women,” she stated after her victory. Khelif’s resilience and her call against bullying reflect a growing awareness of the psychological toll such scrutiny can take on athletes.

Following her compelling performance, Khelif stood in the ring, filled with elation, tears of victory illuminating her face. Her journey unveils not only the challenges female athletes face, but also the urgent need for a more inclusive understanding of gender and identity in sports.