Episode 136: How the Anti-trans Movement Shields Cisgender Sexual Predators

The End of Sport Podcast

**This episode contains discussions of sexual violence**

In this episode, Johanna offers an initial analysis of how cisgender, white, and heterosexual sexual assault and predators and sport contribute to the anti-trans movement. Where do we see this happening most clearly? Swimming, which you may have guessed if you’re familiar with the work of Frankie de la Cretaz in this article for the Nation and their episode with us about it, and Johanna’s Guardian piece last summer. She discusses the revelations from Katie Strang’s first article for The Athletic about University of Kentucky’s swim coach, Lars Jorgensen. Two sportspeople – including a former swimmer and trans man - filed a lawsuit against the UKY Athletic Department that it allowed Jorgensen to “foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program and to prey on, sexually harass, and commit horrific sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and collegiate athletes who were reliant on him.” The school’s Title IX office repeatedly discouraged victims to come forward.

The announcement of this lawsuit also comes a few weeks after ICONS (Independent Council on Women’s Sport) organized a lawsuit that included Riley Gaines and 15 other cisgender female college athletes against the NCAA to ban transgender women from all sports. Gaines has been one of Jorgensen’s defenders, as she swam for Jorgensen when she tied with Lia Thomas. Jorgensen, Gaines, and his other supporters show how the anti-trans movement is extremely dangerous to athletes and people of all genders. Solidarity with all survivors of sexual assault and trans people. Remember that transgender people are four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violent crimes like rape and sexual assault.

Jorgensen’s lawyer has since announced publicly that they are blaming the rape allegations on “NCAA Woke Philosophy.” By using the accusation of “wokeness,” Jorgensen’s team proves how the movement’s anti-trans actions are deeply connected with their beliefs on racism, misogyny, and more.

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