Transsexual athlete takes part in
For many it is a small sensation: for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games a trans athlete will compete. Actually, this is another logical step on the way to more equality and tolerance.
But who is Laurel Hubbard anyway? In which discipline does she compete? And what does it mean at all that transsexuality is suddenly also "quite normal" at the Olympic Games?
Laurel Hubbard portrait
Laurel Hubbard competes for New Zealand in the weightlifting (87 kg category). She is 43 years old and comes from Auckland. Her gender reassignment was a few years ago and took place in 2012.
In order for her to be allowed to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games, a few points must be met. In the first step, Hubbard must confirm her female gender identity. The corresponding document is then valid for four years and may not be changed during this time.
In addition, the athlete's testosterone level must be below a set limit for a period of at least one year.
This is to ensure that everything remains fair and no one enjoys an advantage. After all, all female and all male athletes should be treated equally in their disciplines.
Excitingly, however, Hubbard was able to gain weightlifting experience as a man. Then, in 2018, she moved to the women's team for the first time.
Fair or not?
Even if the people in charge take great pains to ensure that everything is indeed fair and that no one is disadvantaged or favored, there is also criticism of Hubbard's participation.
This is not at all about possible discrimination against trans women, but rather the idea that cis women might be disadvantaged athletically by the participation of a trans woman athlete.
What is certain is that Hubbard currently fulfills all the requirements placed on her and that nothing should stand in the way of an uncomplicated participation in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Queers in sports - always a hotly debated topic
The fact that queer athletes are discussed is nothing new. Whether it's a gay soccer player coming out or a person who has undergone gender reassignment surgery wanting to participate in the Olympics, conversations and reports on the topic are bound to happen.
But this is probably exactly why it is so important that more and more people "stepout of the shadows" and stand up for themselves - even if, as in the case of Laurel Hubbard, it is not only a matter of overcoming the barriers in people's minds, but also bureaucratic hurdles.
In this context, it is always interesting to note that with regard to the participation of a transsexual athlete in the Olympic Games, the homophobic or queer-hostile statements (including in social networks) have so far remained within limits.
Currently, most critics are actually concerned with preventing favoritism and ensuring equal opportunity.
And who knows? Maybe "one day" it really will no longer be worth mentioning whether a female contestant was a man a few years ago or a male contestant was a woman in the past. The boundaries are becoming more and more blurred here - even in the classic TV show sector, by the way. Only a few weeks ago, after all, a transsexual candidate won the title here.
Finally, there's a gay couple on Sesame Street!