Column: Roanoke College Athletes Fought For Their Rights In Latest Transgender Controversy; Councilman Insulted Them With Clown Comments

Roanoke College Athletes Fought For Their Rights; Councilman Insulted Them With Clown Comments

Given that it’s now October, I quickly checked to see if Halloween had suddenly been moved up. You see, when he opened his mouth yesterday, Roanoke councilman Peter Volosin was seemingly wearing a red nose and big red shoes. But after confirming the dress-up holiday is still a few weeks away, the facts became clear: Volosin is simply a clown.

This week, the controversy surrounding transgender-female participation in women’s sports arose again in the swimming world, although it has continued to be a pressing topic across a variety of sports. On Thursday, members of the Roanoke College women’s swim team held a press conference to discuss their decision to object to a transgender female joining their team for the 2023-24 season. More important, they voiced a wish that women would stop being treated with a shoulder shrug.

The athlete who wanted to join the women’s squad, and has since withdrawn their desire to compete, previously competed for the Division III school as a member of the men’s team. When members of the women’s team received word of the athlete’s desire to change teams, they met as a group and – in a unified and brave stance – indicated to the college that this was not an acceptable outcome.

Two years ago, Lia Thomas’ presence on the women’s team at the University of Pennsylvania severely impacted fairness within the college ranks. Thomas was a middling athlete on Penn’s men’s squad, but rose to standout status after transitioning. An NCAA title win over Emma Weyant was the gut punch of Thomas’ charade, which was enabled by the NCAA and governing members of the Ivy League school.

Transgender activists attempted to turn the Thomas situation into a case of transphobia, rather than what it really was: A critical opportunity to defend females and their far-too-often violated spaces. Simply, Thomas raced against competitors who were at a severe disadvantage, their biological gifts overwhelmed by puberty-enhanced male hormones.

Now, Roanoke College athletes were placed in a situation in which their fairness of competition and accomplishments was being challenged. Science shows that swimmers who were born male maintain a 12% advantage over their female counterparts. Once an individual hits puberty, there is no rolling back of the innate advantages of being born male. World Aquatics, the governing body of the sport, looked at this science when creating governance that does not allow an individual to compete in the female category if they have experienced male puberty.

“My defeat was written in biology,” said junior Lily Mullens, who is one of the three captains for Roanoke College. “No heart or grit would overcome the laws of nature.”

Apparently, Councilman Volosin is ignorant to the science. After the Roanoke athletes held their press conference, Volosin had the nerve to tell the women on the team to “train harder.” He called their desire to protect their space and records “selfish.”

“It doesn’t matter what your body is like, it’s what you put into the pool,” Volosin said. “And if other people want to blame someone for being transgender for beating them, then they need to take a look in the mirror and get back in the pool and start swimming again.”

What an interesting statement, especially from an individual who competed in the sport for Brown University. Usually, athletes have an understanding of their sports, whether it be swimming, football, tennis, basketball. … whatever. Volosin either doesn’t have a clue about swimming, or (and this is the more likely angle) he is simply turning a blind eye to the biological advantages that belong to a transgender female competing against females. Basically, Volosin is turning his back on women and unconcerned with their rights.

The NCAA and Roanoke College, too, bear responsibility on this issue. The 17 women on the Roanoke team were left to deal with this situation on their own. They had to bring the issue to light and hold a press conference to defend themselves and their spaces.

Where was the NCAA? Where were Roanoke College officials? Well, they were hiding. They were afraid to comment. And, sadly, they left a team full of unified women to fend for themselves. Fortunately, these women possessed the fortitude to stand up, defend their rights and spaces and basically state: Enough is enough.

This issue is not about transgender rights. As World Aquatics has offered moving forward, there will be transgender or open-category opportunities. But violating women’s spaces and their rights to fairness is never going to be a legitimate option. And telling women to “train harder” only demonstrates a lack of understanding on the topic, and is insulting to all women.

So, Councilman Volosin can express his objections all he wants. If you see him, tell him he looks good in a red nose.

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SullyG

7 months ago

Great article and I can’t wait for the councilman’s next campaign. Wonder how many women will actually vote for him. #Roanoke10 #protectwomenssports

Dee

7 months ago

Reply to SullyG

It is time we told our politicians, via our votes, where we stand on this issue. The Democrats overwhelmingly support biological male’s rights to compete as women if they identify as one. I wrote my congresspeople, senator, president, vice-president and the National Democratic Headquarters of my opposition to trans women in women’s sports and was told by each and every one that they didn’t care – they supported biological men in women’s sports. End of story? I will not vote for any Democrat in 2024. Only votes, or lack thereof, will change their minds.

Jennifer

7 months ago

This article is spot on. What a clown. I can’t wait until the next election. Fact: majority of Americans side with these women.

Start looking for a new jobz

Nancy Hogshead

7 months ago

Well done women
✊🏽 Let’s hope the ADULTS in charge (looking at you NCAA, conferences and US Olympic and Paralympic Committee) do a better job of supporting fairness than in my era against East Germans.