This week read about CeCe Telfer not being allowed to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials in Oregon, and Philly Pride Presents cancelling its upcoming Pride event.
Trans Runner Ruled Ineligible to Compete in US Olympic Trials
CeCe Telfer, the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title, was not allowed to compete at the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, due to an eligibility requirement involving testosterone levels.
Telfer’s manager, David McFarland, told the Associated Press, “CeCe has turned her focus towards the future and is continuing to train. She will compete on the national — and world — stage again soon.”
Telfer won the NCAA title in 2019 for the same event, and would have been one of the first openly transgender athletes to compete in any Olympic event, a title that has gone to New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard.
Telfer told Women’s Health Magazine, “To other athletes who don’t accept me as a competitor, meet me on the track and when we are running the same race, the books will tell you something you can’t deny: She’s fast.”
Philly Pride Presents Dissolves Organization and Cancels Pride Event
Photo via Phillygaypride.org.
The 33-year-old organization behind the Philadelphia Pride March and Festival has disbanded itself and canceled its upcoming Pride event following calls from the community for increased accountability.
The leadership behind Philly Pride Presents apologized for now-deleted Facebook posts that misgendered protesters at the 1969 Stonewall Riots and included a rainbow-striped Blue Lives Matter flag before taking down its entire Facebook page and cancelling its upcoming “Pride-Lite” event at Penn’s landing.
Local activist Kendall Stephens told Philadelphia Gay News, “Instead of facing the community with the Pride that this month represents by addressing the concerns of those in our community who feel underrepresented and underserved in Pride events, PPP chose to systematically silence those voices once again in one last act of profound disinterest and unwillingness to transform Pride into a more inclusive and equitable space for everyone in our community.”
An ad hoc group of community leaders have come together to plan a new event aimed for October, using the resources from the disbanded organization to center Philly’s most marginalized.
