In a groundbreaking triumph, Lesley Mumford, a transgender cyclist, emerged victorious in the female category of a grueling gravel race, only to face a wave of abuse following her social media posts about other competitors. Mumford, a 46-year-old SWAT team leader from Colorado, proudly shared a selfie on Instagram, expressing surprise at the number of participants who withdrew before the podium ceremony.
Addressing the fact that 43 other women in the 40-49 age group completed the race, Mumford clarified that she was not the sole representative of her division. She had surpassed 35 other female cyclists, securing an impressive sixth place overall, disregarding the non-binary category.
Dominating her age group, Mumford finished a remarkable 17 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher, Lindsey Kriete, and more than 30 minutes ahead of Michelle Van Sickle, who claimed the third spot. Despite the notable absence of both these riders from the podium, critics hailed their non-participation as a form of “silent protest.”
Inga Thompson, a respected figure in the cycling world with multiple Olympic and National Champion titles, commended the perceived silent protests, emphasizing the separation of men and women on the podium. Thompson expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you so much!”
Swimmer Riley Gaines, who faced defeat against Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete, emerged as a vocal opponent of transgender participation in women’s sports. Gaines rallied against the inclusion of transgender athletes, pointing out the absence of women on the podium and claiming that a man had won the men’s division by default. Gaines encouraged her fellow female athletes to persevere, using the hashtag “#SaveWomensSports.”
The controversy surrounding Mumford’s victory was further amplified by media personality Megyn Kelly, who discussed the topic on her Sirius XM show. Kelly refused to adopt Mumford’s preferred pronouns and questioned her transition, stating that she had been a male sheriff’s deputy until recently. Dismissing Mumford’s achievement, Kelly suggested that she was unjustly claiming awards meant for women and insinuated that the growing number of women quitting sports was unsurprising.
Guest activist Britt Mayer, who appeared on Kelly’s show, interpreted the situation as a sign of women finally asserting themselves after years of politeness. Mayer expressed concerns about the escalating situation and the potential threat it posed to women’s sports, emphasizing the need for women to speak out.
Carrie Prejean Boller, another advocate from the organization Battle Cry, welcomed the rising voices of women standing up against the inclusion of transgender athletes. Boller expressed her support for the movement, declaring that women should unite and resist any attempts to diminish their place in sports.
Prior to her cycling career, Mumford served in law enforcement for 17 years, including a historic command position as a transgender person in the police force. Mumford’s transition was publicly announced during a staff meeting, with the sheriff commending her courage and expressing his pride in supporting her.
Reflecting on her journey, Mumford acknowledged that she hadn’t initially sought to become a trailblazer or role model, but if her story could inspire others struggling with their gender identity, she welcomed the opportunity to make a positive impact.
As the discussions surrounding transgender participation in sports continue, the experiences of athletes like Mumford and the perspectives of their critics shed light on the complex issues at the intersection of gender, competition, and inclusivity.