Justine Lindsay recently changed the course of National Football League history. The 29-year-old recently joined the Carolina Panthers’ cheer team, the TopCats, and went on to become the first openly transgender NFL cheerleader. Lindsay came out as transgender to her new friends and the rest of society in a March Instagram post informing them that she was joining the team. She captioned a picture of herself grinning in her cheer dress, “Cats Out the Bag, you’re looking at the newest member of the Carolina Panthers’ @topcats as the first Transgender female.”
Picture matters: As discussed in our most recent JSM analysis, a particular type of white femininity has long been reproduced in this profession, which excludes dark, trans, and rocking one’s bald head. https://t.co/nLnm56s3TK
— June 5, 2022, Lauren Hindman (@laurenhinderman)
Lindsay acknowledged that she was extremely nervous when she spoke to BuzzFeed News about making the social media post. She stated, “There are just some things you can’t post.” She admitted that not even her closest friend, whom she refers to as a sister, was aware of her transgender identity. Except for her home, she had kept it a secret. Lindsay recalled, “I really felt like when I posted it, whatever response I get from people, it does not matter.” “My phone finally started blowing up,” I said. Lindsay is thought to be the first trans person to serve as an NFL cheerleader, although there is no official record of such individuals throughout history.
Lindsay expressed her desire to “break down that door” for upcoming transgender athletes in reference to her history-making accomplishment. While Lindsay had noted on her application that she was transgender, Chandalae Lanouette, the director of the TopCats, explained that the decision to allow her to the squad was solely motivated by her skills. “At the end of the day, you have to walk through the door first to get to that spot,” Lanouette said. “My goal is to create a team of people who are absolute fire on the field but are remarkable human beings in the locker room, good companions, and great people.”
There hasn’t been much to no progress for women in NFL cheerleading squads, despite the fact that they recently started accepting men on the rosters. The majority of teams continue to favor the stereotypical “all-American” look, where the women are expected to appear like pinup models and act like athletes. Even among the few Black people who serve as NFL dancers, very few have healthy hair. While watching “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team,” a CMT reality series about women who are trying out for the Dallas Cowgirls, Lindsay revealed that she had noticed that their presence significantly affected whether or not they were chosen.
She was so relieved when her coach informed her that she could keep her shaven head because she enjoys “inspiring other young girls who may be nervous rocking their bare look.” Cheerleaders represent their team at everything from community events to fundraisers to corporate functions when they aren’t on the sidelines. Lindsay remarked, “This is big,” adding that she is happy to overcome barriers as a trans woman of color. “More people ought to see this, in my opinion. It’s not because I want to be praised. It’s only done to provide insight into what is happening in the world.
In a statement addressing Lindsay’s decision to become the first openly transgender NFL cheerleader, Sam Ames, director of advocacy and government affairs at The Trevor Project, said that the presence of the trans community is “important.” According to Ames, “Our research shows that LGBTQ youth report that seeing LGBTQ representation by athletes and celebrities made them feel good about being LGBTQ.” The history of a transgender cheerleader inspires so much more than just wins, especially in an organization like the NFL, which holds such an important place in our culture. She may give young people who are watching something to look forward to and a prospect to hold onto.
Lindsay remarked, “I’m glad I was able to break down that door and tell people, ‘Hey, we’re not just sexual beings. We are real people who want to better ourselves.’ ‘Why not tell the world,’ I thought, ‘Hey, look, this is a great achievement.'”
