Provocative Protest in the Surfing Community
In a bold and controversial move, Emily Pillari, a chiropractor from San Jose, California, entered a male swimmer into a women’s surfing competition as a form of protest against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. This act, intended to challenge the current discourse surrounding gender and sports, left many of the female contestants feeling “uncomfortable.” Pillari stood by her decision, asserting that it was an expression of a suppressed viewpoint in a heated debate.
Details of the Contest and the Contestant
The male participant, Calder Nold, is a 40-year-old swim coach who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 220 pounds. Pillari’s op-ed, published in Look Out Santa Cruz, sought to shed light on the challenges faced by those who wish to voice dissenting opinions in the ongoing discussion about transgender inclusion in sports. She stated, “Certainly, the fear of offending the transgender community and its allies… is tying the hands and smothering many voices of reason.”
Reactions from Participants
The reaction to Nold’s participation was mixed. Local author Liza Monroy, one of the contestants, expressed her discomfort in an op-ed responding to Pillari’s original piece. Monroy described the moment she saw Nold, who was shirtless and dressed in board shorts, standing next to her before the competition. “He seemed to be there to make women uncomfortable on purpose,” she wrote, reflecting on the awkwardness of the situation.
Monroy criticized Pillari’s actions as being anti-transgender and emphasized that the intent behind enrolling a man in a women’s event was harmful. She argued that competing against a cisgender man was not intimidating for her, but the motivation behind Nold’s participation was troubling.
Nold’s Perspective
Calder Nold defended his involvement by stating that the registration process did not include any barriers for male competitors. He explained, “We were not sneaking. We did not lie. We did not have to fabricate anything.” Nold highlighted that the competition’s guidelines allowed for anyone who loves water sports to participate, regardless of gender.
Despite leading in the first two heats, Nold was ultimately disqualified—not for being male, but for not wearing his jersey properly, according to the judges.
The Broader Context of Transgender Inclusion in Sports
The issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has become increasingly contentious across the United States, particularly in California. One notable controversy erupted at San Jose State University, where a transgender volleyball player prompted legal action from co-captain Brooke Slusser, who claimed she was kept in the dark about her teammate’s birth sex while being required to share facilities.
In another incident, Stone Ridge Christian High School in Merced, California, forfeited a state playoff volleyball game against a team that included a biological male transgender athlete. This decision received public support, including a celebration with activist Riley Gaines.
Voices from the Community
The conversations surrounding transgender participation in sports have sparked impassioned responses from young female athletes. For instance, Rylee Morrow, a cross country runner, voiced her concerns at a school board meeting, expressing feelings of unsafety in shared spaces with male athletes. “It’s not OK that I have to see a male in booty shorts… I don’t find that safe,” she stated, highlighting the intense emotions surrounding this debate.
The controversy continues to grow, reflecting a wider cultural and political divide on the topic. As discussions evolve, the perspectives of both supporters and critics of transgender inclusion in sports will remain at the forefront of national conversations.
