Historic first ever all-trans rugby match a giant "f u" to transphobes

[PGen98]

Historic all-trans rugby match sends a 'big f*** you' to transphobes

Trans rugby players share how they found joy in the sport and how an all-trans match was a "big F U" to those attacking the community.

www.thepinknews.com

As he prepared to take part in a historic all-trans rugby match, Atticus Martin felt like he was going to cry.

Martin was one of the 39 trans and non-binary players who took part in an all-trans match at the North American Rugby Cup, the first of its kind in the US, on 27 May in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The players, who came from over a dozen teams worldwide, took to the pitch wearing bright pink and blue jerseys in the colours of the trans flag, showing their joy and pride at being part of rugby’s trans community.

Hosted by the International Gay Rugby (IGR) association, the match was designed to promote trans inclusion in sports and battle against the surge in anti-trans legislation in the US.


Essentially, it was a “big F U to everybody who thinks that we shouldn’t exist,” Martin tells PinkNews.

“Out of all the sports I play – because I even play softball – rugby players have been the most supportive and like, ‘This is all f**ked up what they’re going to you guys and saying that you can’t play’,” Martin says.

Trans inclusion in sports has become a lightning rod issue worldwide. The International Swimming Federation (FINA) and rugby football unions in England, Ireland and Wales have restricted or outright banned trans people from participating, despite experts denouncing such restrictions.

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[Gizmo]

 

[DrLeftover]

I'm glad I'm not actively covering sports any more.

 

[PGen98]

I'm glad I'm not actively covering sports any more.

We all are.

 

[Dee]

This was my initial reaction.