In their own words
Nicole FallertA swimmer. A climber. A runner. A heavyweight lifter. Each of these athletes has conquered odds in their respective sports in their own way: As transgender athletes, they've faced exclusionary rules, demonization from fellow competitors and misinformation intended to hurt their success.
But they never stopped trying to be the best at their game.
Ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility this Sunday, USA TODAY spoke with four transgender athletes about their everyday experiences facing an increasingly hostile climate in our country to players like them. This unique four-part series goes beyond the headlines that typically dominate stories about transgender athletes, which often focus on rules or lawsuits or hormone dosages, to tell the stories of these competitors in Their Own Words.
Read USA TODAY's In Their Own Words Series:
- Powerlifter Angel Flores wants people to understand these are frightening times for transgender athletes.
- The pool was safety for Schuyler Bailar.He wants it that way for other transgender swimmers.
- Cat Runner brought transgender representation to the sport of climbing.
- Runner Cal Calamia took on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and won.