I Wanted to Be Tarzan

By Suzanne Littrell I feel very fortunate that I grew up at a time when athletic competition was divided by biological sex at birth.

I was young for my grade and had to fight for everything I earned. Many of the girls I competed against were six to ten months older than I was, which can make a noticeable difference in growth and physical development when you are young. Even then, I understood that competition was difficult, but it was fair.

Today, some young women are being asked to compete against biological males who transitioned after puberty. As I understand the medical findings, going through male puberty can create physical advantages, including greater muscle mass, strength and bone structure, and some of those advantages may remain after transition.

I am not a doctor or a medical expert. I am a layperson who has listened to the findings and believes they should be taken seriously. I have also heard the argument that boys who transition before puberty may not develop the same physical advantages. However, that brings up an entirely different concern for me.

Children Are Still Developing

A child cannot drive, vote, join the military or enter a bar. Children are required to attend school because we recognize that they are still developing and do not yet have the knowledge or maturity of an adult. For that reason, I do not believe children should be making permanent decisions about changing their bodies before they have a greater understanding of who they are and what they truly want.

My Story, My Experience and Why I Defend Women’s Sports

When I was young, I wanted to be Tarzan. Did that mean I wanted to be a boy? No. I was simply an adventurous little girl who admired strength, freedom and courage. I was not raised to believe that disliking dresses, wearing short hair or enjoying traditionally masculine activities meant I could or should change my gender.

Could I have been influenced in that direction if I had grown up today? I honestly do not know, and that is what frightens me.

Why My Childhood Shapes My Views

I was very impressionable as a child. My father died when I was eight years old, and I needed guidance that was not always available. My mother did the best she could, but she had to work, and I was often left to figure things out on my own.

I am not suggesting that every child who wants to transition has a background like mine. I am only using my own experience as an example of how uncertain, vulnerable and impressionable children can be.

Short Hair, Comfortable Clothes and No Pink

In the photograph, I am standing with my mother and father before my father passed away. I loved having short hair. I loved clothing that allowed me to move freely and did not restrict my body. At that age, I thought pink was an inferior color because I associated it with weakness.

Today, I wear pink all the time.

I am a woman from head to toe. I love painting my nails, coloring my hair blonde and supporting my husband in everything he does. I do not feel inferior to men, but I am comfortable allowing my husband to take the lead.

At the same time, many men throughout my life have wanted me to lead. I am financially self-sufficient. I have worked as a manager, I know my way around tools, and as a stuntwoman, I performed more dangerous activities than most people will ever experience.

None of that makes me a man.

It does, however, give me a perspective that many people do not have. I know that a woman can be strong, independent, athletic, courageous and capable without giving up her identity as a woman.

That is why I speak up for young women and girls.

Why I Welcome the Debate

I welcome respectful debate because conversation can change someone’s point of view. I also remain open to what another person may teach me. So far, however, I have not heard an argument that changes my belief that biological women deserve protected and fair athletic competition.

Honestly, I do not believe such an argument exists.

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