Caster Runs for All of Us

Dear Caster Semenya,

I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through. I have never been a successful athlete. I have never been famous. I have never had millions of people picking apart the way I look to “prove” something.

But I have had people question my gender, and very rudely. I can begin to understand how that feels. People are hostile about gender, my friend, and they will be cruel, entitled and shitty about it. Because they can, and they feel justified in asking you personal questions about your lifestyle, your genitals and your sexual habits.

For you, there is even an extra step: they’re testing you. They are invading your body in a personal way, and I bet you’re trying to find a way to fight back. I think I’d want to, as well.

But I want to tell you this: you do not have to prove anything to them. You are in a different situation than I was/am and I understand that.

But if you feel you are a woman, then woman you are. You are an incredible athlete, you have a family that’s backing you up, and I bet you’ve got a lot of fans that are sticking by you whether or not your chromosomes are XX. You don’t have to wear a dress, makeup, fancy hairstyles, or glittery things to be a woman.

Of course, if you want to do these things, go right ahead. You are allowed to wear anything you like and still be a woman if that’s how you feel.

Your body and your identity is yours. I’m sure it’s shaken right now (who wouldn’t be a little perturbed by all of what you’re going through?), but remember that you have to own it. Try your hardest not to let them take that away from you. I’m rooting for you, and I’ll bet you’ve got a lot more transgendered allies than just me that are feeling your pain. I imagine the trans community might have some good advice for learning to deal with rude people and their entitled attitudes about your body.

Best wishes,
Megan Ewert