Trans controversy, “the leader of the men’s event is a man; of the women’s, too”

Austin Killipsof the team Amy D Foundationwon the fifth and final stage of the women’s race on Sunday Tour of the Gila, and thus confirmed his victory in the general. Killips broke away from the pack in a small group in the final minutes of the fifth and final stage of the event and ended up crossing the finish line first, sealing victory for him.

Meanwhile, in the men’s event, Alex Hoehn (Above & Beyond Cancer Cycling) won the overall while Oscar Seville (Medellín-EPM) won the fifth and final stage. Both cyclists arrived outstanding at the last port and although Sevilla wanted to leave Hoehn behind, it was impossible. On the contrary, he helped him surpass Torbjørn Røed in the general, leader until then, but who could not keep up with the best.

So far, there doesn’t seem to be anything newsworthy, however Killips’ victory has raised controversy. “ANDhe leader in the men’s Gila Tour is a man, and in the women’s as well. I wish that women cyclists had the right to have their own category”, Irene Aguilar, a specialist in sports law, has written on social networks. Because Austin Killips was born a male and transitioned to be a female. And she dominates some cycling events. “2023: the first year that there was no woman winning the Gila Tour. The men’s tour was won by a man (Alex Hoehn), and the women’s, too (Austin Killips)”, continues Irene Aguilar.

A controversial victory

Killips, unlike other trans athletes, has not been an activist: “You still see people wearing the armbands that Molly[introducedasanadvocacyandawarenesstool”Killipssaidinaninterview”MollyCameronisaleadingadvocateofequalityandinclusionandalsocyclistInthatinterviewKillipslamentedthelawsagainsttransathletesintheUnitedStates“Unfortunately, these anti-transgender laws aren’t limited to Arkansas. It’s half the country that’s locked in this culture war. It’s a hot topic in right-wing politics. Thinking politically, it’s hard to see how a boycott is going to produce change”he recognized.

“There is a political aspect to visibility, but activism is a very specific term,” continued Killip, who has reflected on this issue. “Molly has spent a lot of time in activist and political work. She’s involved in politics itself, engaging with communities and being in the legislative halls. I’m not an activist, but I can’t divorce myself from who I am and how others perceive me. There are trans athletes and people I connect with. There are people who come up to me to tell me that what I do makes sense and they care,” he said.

Although he knows that his victories give him visibility: “I take it seriously. I want to be visible and be present. I don’t hide anything, but I don’t spend much time on the political side either. I know that my profile is growing and that my story will soon be more known. I’m not afraid of the public nature of the sport as a trans woman, but I’m also not very comfortable with its political side.”continued.

He told how his process was: “You know it, but it takes you a while to realize it. Many trans people have this experience. TI am lucky to have a great relationship with my father. When I told my father about it, he told me: ‘I am your father and I want to support you.’ He spent time and energy understanding me. She tried to know where she came from. I was lucky to have a father by my side to support me. There are many who don’t have this, and I feel aware of it.”