At a Canadian Swimming Association-sanctioned swimming competition in Barrie last week, girls ages 8 to 16 found themselves not only competing in the same pool as a transgender female swimmer, but also in the same locker room. Parents questioned the participation of the 50-year-old transgender swimmer with male physiology in the girls' competition.
图源：bnnbreaking
Parents confirmed that the man went to the women's locker room to change into a swimsuit during the Trojan Cup at the East Bayfield Community Centre on Dec. 1.
A parent of one of the children involved said the girls were scared and embarrassed.
Source: nypost
Parents set up makeshift towel tents in the changing area so that no one could see their daughters or the men with whom they were changing, and the girls entered the pool to compete with the 50-year-old in several categories.
The whole thing feels terrible.
One parent said it was too confusing for the kids and no one would feel comfortable. Everyone should accept everyone, but such people are not appropriate to play with our children and be in the locker room with them.
Source: nypost
In the pool or at York University, Nicholas Cepeda now uses the name Melody Wiseheart. Shown in the swimming competition statistics is Wiseheart, who has been competing against women since 2019, but to date he has not responded to requests from the media for clarification of comments.
We don't know why this is allowed, and we know it's unfair to girls who are training in the sport, as well as some of them who want to get scholarships, said one parent.
Wiseheart was also reported to have previously competed in the Fall Classic in Richmond Hill in October, with the other participants aged 13 to 14.
Wiseheart has reportedly been playing against girls since 2019. Given the age and biological differences, this raises concerns about the fairness of the competition. Given the huge age gap and the sensitivity of the environment, the appropriateness of Wiseheart changing clothes in the same locker room with young players has also been questioned.
Source: nypost
Despite the concerns raised, the Ontario Swimming Association and Canadian Swimming Association remain committed to their policy support for an inclusive environment for all participants. They investigated the situation and came to the conclusion that the tournament was held in accordance with their policy of allowing open competitions regardless of age. However, this official position has further intensified the debate.
Currently, transgender women are legally allowed to change and shower in the same facilities as other women, and authorities have not taken action against Wiseheart for attending parties or using women's locker rooms. This legal perspective adds another dimension to the discussion, raising questions about the balance between inclusivity and privacy, as well as the broader implications for the world of sport.
The controversy surrounding this swimming competition reflects a broader societal debate about the inclusion of transgender people in gender-designated spaces and activities. As society's understanding and acceptance of diverse identities continues to evolve, such discussions are critical to developing inclusive and respectful policies and practices.