HOST: ARI SHAPIRO
Sports team have received a lot of attention in the social debate over transgender children rights. Transgender children are prohibited from playing on sports teams that are appropriate for their gender identity in almost half of U.S. says. People who support limits on trans athletes frequently claim that by preventing trans women from participating, they are safeguarding the interests of girls ‘ sports. However, transmasculine athletes may also be subject to these restrictions. All The Just Ones, a new line about trans youth, is available on NPR’s Integrated podcast. It tells the tale of an Ohio teenager who feels compelled to give up a piece of himself in order to continue playing his game. Laine Kaplan-Levenson, the variety, is shown here. And a word: Suicide is mentioned in this story.
Great, Parker, unexplained man. That’s alright. However, it’s your game.
( WHISTLE BLOWING SOUNDBITE )
Individual UNIDENTIFIED: White.
Outsiders may find discipline hockey practice to be frantic, according to JetKAPLAN-LEVENSON.
Unknown man: White ball, also. Continually White game.
However, Parker Parker, a young industry soccer star, finds that running up and down the field makes him feel the most at ease.KAPLAN- LEVENSON
Picture a blank, black piece of paper with nothing on it, says Parker Parker. That’s how it feels: kind of go calm, if that makes any sense; sort of just a puddle that exists.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: And what about that sensation of going completely dark or of nothingness feels so good?
Peter: Since I rarely experience that. I feel like I’m constantly stressed out.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: There was only one issue. Parker had to sign up for a female ‘ team to perform field hockey because there were no boys’ teams available. Parker was aware of his gender at birth, but it was uneasy for him to change in the bag space.
PARKER: When playing industry hockey, you frequently reverse your pinnie and change the color for various groups. And I’m not kidding. Because I despise my brain, I may, for example, look at my feet and move as quickly as I was. I aspired to become male. Like, I simply knew.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: Despite that, he continued to engage in it. However, it required him to wear a scarf when playing for his high school group.
Have you requested to put on a people’s shirt?
Sincerely, I’m too afraid to ask my manager that for large class.
LEVENSON: KAPLAN: Why is that?
There are a lot of consequences if you do something bad, according to Parker. I started all four years ago, but the next thing I know, I’m no starting. I therefore did n’t want to question anything or do something wrong. I simply kept my head down as a result.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: By his junior year, Parker was beginning to regret keeping his trans identity a secret.
PARKER: My emotional health recently declined. Dealing a bit with murder was really awful. I had no desire to be here at all.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: He spent a week in the hospital.
PARKER: The psych ward did n’t really help with my transgender identity. Like, they were unable to comprehend it. They assured me that I could manage my anxiety. And I really ca n’t handle it, to be honest. I need female affirming care, for example.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: Parker’s time was about to begin, and field hockey was the only thing keeping him afloat. He therefore concealed his transgender identity and pretended to follow the doctors ‘ tips in an effort to be released as soon as possible. Parker began to see politicians in his home state proposing new limitations that may affect trans children during his senior year of high school.
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UNIDENTIFIED Writer: A bill passed by the Ohio House restricts the activities that trans athletes can participate in and forbids gender-affirming care for children.
KAPLAN- LEVENSON: Parker testified next year against a proposed anti-trans decision at the Ohio Board of Education meet.
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Peter: I may drop a piece of myself if you forbid me from participating in the sport I adore. Hockey in the field is my career. In order for my individuality and humanity to be respected, I therefore ask the state board to reject this resolution.
Parker wanted to move from Ohio to a more trans-friendly location because of all of this, and industry hockey was his best option.KAPLAN- LEVENSON He could obtain a scholarship in this way, but since playing on collegiate teams is primarily aimed at women, he would have to strike the same deal as if it were his high school sports. He would have to play area sports for a children’s team if he wanted to continue. Parker was concerned about being out when he was trying to get hired.
Peter: In essence, I had to change my name in front of mentors. Additionally, I kept my transgender identity a secret from any of the instructors I was speaking with. I was just thinking,” But what if they do n’t recruit me because I’m trans?”
KAPLAN- Lelaki: You essentially retreated into the bedroom, am I correct? – simply to complete this procedure.
It was terrible, Parker. I kept asking that of myself. For instance, why are you acting in this way? Why, for instance, ca n’t you just be sincere? And, you know, it only meant so much to me that, like, I had a place to play in school that I simply ignored that and pushed it down because I merely- I suppose I simply wanted hegemonic activity.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: Outside of Boston, he was chosen to represent Merrimack College. After making a commitment, he approached his fresh manager, who was incredibly encouraging. However, Parker’s help from his coach is insufficient to enable him to sit as his true self.
I ca n’t take T and play on a women’s team, for example, according to NCAA rules.
If he did, KAPLAN- Lelaki would exceed the male cap permitted for trans men competing in women’s field soccer.
Peter: I suppose I could make a move in college. I would n’t be able to play, though. What then am I to accomplish?
Parker perhaps would n’t be in this scenario if he competed in a men’s team sport, such as swimming, according to KAPLAN-LEVENSON. Because transfeminine athletes are the main objective of the present social anxiety and people are more concerned that they have some sort of unfair edge, he very well could float on the school men’s team and get T. Parker is aware of this.
Peter: Trans athletes are not well-liked, mainly female transgender athletes.
Yet though trans people are n’t the main goals, he’s been sucked into these sports policies, and they’re making him make a difficult decision.KAPLAN- LEVENSON Parker has two options: either wait years to change into the system he wants in order to continue playing his favorite sport, or change his mind and stop doing it altogether. He must offer up a fundamental aspect of himself in both situations.
PARKER: I just do n’t want to have to separate myself like I feel I have, which is like being an athlete but also kind of being trans on the side. I sort of just want to be there as a complete man.
KAPLAN- Lelaki: He is currently attempting to understand what it means to be the first man to resemble him.
Peter: I’m the first trans man to play Division 1 niche hockey, as far as I know. I am the initial. And I believe it will open doors for various children. It would be worthwhile if I could provide that to another child who is currently experiencing it.
Parker Parker was speaking with Laine Kaplan-Levenson, sponsor of the podcast All The Even Ones from NPR, which examines the history of trans youth in America. The Embedded radio has more of these stories available. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you or someone you know is in trouble. It only has those three figures.
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