Are women really divided/hesitant or more like intimated/scared about standing up for "women's rights"?!

[SSS79]

I was not sure to post this here in the "Ask a Woman" section or "Women's Issues" sections, or any other section, but I decided to post it here to leave the floor for just women to speak for themselves.
I have watched several videos: interviews mainly, and some other videos where different people presented their views regarding the incident of "Lia Thomas", a transgender woman, who competed in the women's swimming competitions, after earlier competing in the men's competition; causing a large debate and some objections from the women competing against her, especially Riley Gaines, and how she has been fighting against this. Then lately the other incident of another transgender woman winning the Miss Netherlands title! Followed again by some debate and objections from women (and some men too) claiming this is simply not fair for women!
I'm not here opening any discussion about the transgender rights, or gender identity or anything like that;
I'm just curious about what do most women - I mean "cis women" feel and think about all of this? Do you really think a male-born-transgender-woman has the right to participate in women's sports events? Do you consider this an act of cheating? Should women, or do they have the right to fight against this? Why can't women have the right to object about transgender women using their bathrooms and looker rooms, without being named "trans-phobic"?! Are transgender women entitled to get all women rights and privileges?!
The main issue is: where do cis-women stand when transgender women rights kind of conflict with women's rights? Why everyone seems to be kind of intimated and afraid to speak about this issue?! What is going on, and how will things evolve from here?! How can we protect one group's right without transgressing on other group's rights?!
Just feel free, as we all should, to say what you think about this issue, regardless of what I've written!
and Please don't try to imply any "trans-phobic" or "racism" comments! I respect everyone, and I hate the feeling that "Free Speech" is now under a real threat; and I don't think anybody should be attacked or intimated to speak their minds, even if we disagree with him/her; this is what really annoys me! Fight for your rights, but respect others' rights too, and respect other people's views and their right to free speech!

 

[MickeyLee]

 

[LaFemme]

Transgender women in sports is a complex issue that continues to be examined in a clear, non-emotional scientific way. Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review | Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

As to “women’s rights” and how this affects me? The moment that a person comes out as a woman (regardless of hormone therapy or any surgical intervention), their issues become my issue. Just because some uneducated and ill-informed women object to sharing locker rooms and bathrooms with women who were AMAB doesn’t mean the women’s voice has been suppressed. Growth in any society does not move forward without detractors.

 

[EllieP]

The one and only single issue I have with a man transitioning into a woman is that we do not share a past. She did not grow up subjected to the same struggles that I did. Maybe she had different struggles, but they were not similar to mine.

Scary first dates, unequal pay, male dominance in so many situations, and just generally growing up as a girl and becoming a woman.

But I do appreciate and respect the struggles they have endured to get to where they are.

 

[SweetJoanne]

Some cisgender women believe that transgender women should be allowed to participate in women's sports and have access to women's spaces, including bathrooms and locker rooms, based on the principles of inclusivity and equality. They argue that transgender women are women and should be treated as such, and that denying them these rights would be discriminatory.

 

[SSS79]

Transgender women in sports is a complex issue that continues to be examined in a clear, non-emotional scientific way. Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review | Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

As to “women’s rights” and how this affects me? The moment that a person comes out as a woman (regardless of hormone therapy or any surgical intervention), their issues become my issue. Just because some uneducated and ill-informed women object to sharing locker rooms and bathrooms with women who were AMAB doesn’t mean the women’s voice has been suppressed. Growth in any society does not move forward without detractors.

Excuse me, BUT, isn't there a bit of contradiction here? "the moment a person comes out as a woman, their issues become" your issue; But, when some women don't feel okay to share their looker rooms or bathrooms with biological males, who in some cases, without any shame show their penises, and in several cases reported "staring at" in a way that made those women feel extremely uncomfortable; this is not your issue?! And No, not only that, you firmly label those women "uneducated and ill-informed women"?
Wasn't it always your rights ends where my rights starts?
Although I know my words might seem "transphobic" or at least can easily be claimed to be so; but I see it as a bit of a dilemma; I totally respect that any biologically born male can decide at his own free will to be identified as a woman, dress like a woman, be called she/her, live his life the way she feels and wants, but forcing any group of people to do and accept things against their free will? and furthermore suppress their right to object and speak their minds?! is that really moving forward?!
Some women in this swimming competition had to change their clothes in the janitor room, cause they didn't want to change in front of someone they didn't feel appropriate to see their bodies; and although I'm a male born man, but I felt sorry for these women! No woman or a man should be forced to change clothes in front of anyone they don't want them to look at their bodies!

 

[SSS79]

Some cisgender women believe that transgender women should be allowed to participate in women's sports and have access to women's spaces, including bathrooms and locker rooms, based on the principles of inclusivity and equality. They argue that transgender women are women and should be treated as such, and that denying them these rights would be discriminatory.

Well, is it really their right?
Lia Thomas, for example, participated in the men's competition from 2017 - 2020, and only starting 2021 she decided to participate in the women's competition; She said in an interview that she always felt depressed and sad while competing with men; and after starting to compete against women, she felt happy and confident!! Only after comparing her rankings in the men's competitions with her great achievements in the women's competitions, it's not that hard to understand her feelings!!! If that's not cheating, what is then?!
And it's not about trophies, it's about women college scholarships! sponsorships! and taking a place of another hard fighting woman, who trained like hell for years for these things!
Who draws the line of what's everybody's right or not?!
Being not discriminated against is something, while taking what's not yours is something else!

 

[SSS79]

Transgender women in sports is a complex issue that continues to be examined in a clear, non-emotional scientific way. Transgender Women Athletes and Elite Sport: A Scientific Review | Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

As to “women’s rights” and how this affects me? The moment that a person comes out as a woman (regardless of hormone therapy or any surgical intervention), their issues become my issue. Just because some uneducated and ill-informed women object to sharing locker rooms and bathrooms with women who were AMAB doesn’t mean the women’s voice has been suppressed. Growth in any society does not move forward without detractors.

Thanks for the shared article.

Now I am even more aware that the issue is more complex than it appears to be! it definitely will take time, more research, lots of discussions and debates,

I just wonder why hasn't anyone thought about creating a new sport category for transgender women? at least as a trial, to see if it works! Just a thought!

 

[AllieHeidi]

First, it's "intimidated." That was just bugging me.

Now, to answer your questions:

Do you really think a male-born-transgender-woman has the right to participate in women's sports events?

I believe there should be a third athletic category for contact and physical sports like swimming and track if the individual has gone through male puberty. I don't see it as "cheating," but it's not wise and can be dangerous to females.

Why can't women have the right to object about transgender women using their bathrooms and looker rooms, without being named "trans-phobic"?!

If the individual passes enough and is mindful and courteous enough not to show off their male genitalia, I don't care. In fact, many of us have likely already shared a space or two with transwomen without realizing it because the vast majority of them try to be respectful, discreet, and blend in. The last thing any of them want to do is make anyone uncomfortable. They don't want to be seen as male because it can trigger dysphoria. So, the last thing they would do is flash their male genitals in front of women. That, to me, is a sign of someone who is potentially abusing laws that are meant to protect trans people for their own nefarious purposes. It is those individuals whom I'm worried about (perverted and predatory men), not legitimate trans women.


That said, no I am not afraid to speak my mind on this within reason. I do, however, know how to "read a room" and pick my battles accordingly. But if you must know, my position on this topic aligns heavily with the position of individuals like Blaire White (to an extent), Buck Angel, and most of the trans people who post on r/truscum and r/transmedical on Reddit.

That said, I believe the trans community has been hijacked by bad actors who aren't legitimately trans, unfortunately, and get the most media attention, which is hurting actual trans people greatly who don't speak out because many of them are even scared to say anything for fear of being attacked and ostracized, especially on places like Reddit. I happen to know a transwoman personally who keeps her mouth shut for this very reason.