Boston pioneer hails trans ruling
Expects runners to be welcomed
Kathrine Switzer endured more than snow squalls and low temps during the 1967 Boston Marathon. Steely No. 261 fought to stay on track while fellow runners pushed her, angry that a woman dared to join the maledominated race.
Five decades later, the first female Boston marathoner celebrates Sunday’s breakthrough decision to accept openly transgender women.
“Here’s the best thing: Running is not about gender. It’s about runners,” Switzer said. “The wonderful act of putting one foot in front of the other. It’s about inclusion. It’s always been about that.”
While there have been transgender runners in the past, the Boston Athletic Association has officially given the OK for participants to enroll as their identified gender. For many transgender rights advocates, the decision is about more than just athletic inclusion — it’s a promising symbol of the Bay State’s political direction. It comes ahead of a November ballot question on whether to strike down the law protecting transgender people in public spaces.
At least five openly transgender women are signed up to run Monday.
When asked if she thought trans participants would experience some of the anger she faced, Switzer predicted they’d get welcomed with “pats on the back.”
“There’s room enough on the road for all of us,” she said. “Running is like music. It’s a common language. We understand each other.”
Mason Dunn, co-chairman of the Freedom for all Massachusetts Campaign, said transgender runners being welcomed humanizes an issue fraught with political discord.
“It’s important for folks to not just see transgender people as a ballot question, but see us in the workplace, running marathons, being students, being parents,” Dunn said.
Dunn — a transgender man — said he will be going to the marathon for the first time to show support for the community.
The development has sparked controversy about whether transgender women are at a competitive advantage.
Dr. Douglas Comeau, medical director of sports medicine at Boston University, said as long as participants do not have a chemical advantage — like having higher testosterone levels than other female runners — there is no issue from a medical standpoint.
“The purpose of sports is to have an athlete be healthy and competitive,” said Comeau, who is also assistant professor of family medicine at BU School of Medicine. “Anybody should be allowed to participate in an event they’d like to participate in,
‘Running is not about gender. It’s about runners . ... It’s about inclusion. It’s always been about that.’ — KATHRINE SWITZER, first female Boston marathoner
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s what sports is.”