Surfer Bethany Hamilton Bullied Online For Saying She Will Not Compete Against Biological Males In Surfing Competitions
Surfer Bethany Hamilton is facing backlash online from trans activists. The shark survivor recently spoke out against World Surf League's new policy that will allow biological men to compete in women's surf competitions.
Famous surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a vicious shark attack, took to Instagram to share her thoughts on World Surf League's new transgender policy. The new rule will enable biological men who identify as transwomen to compete in women's surf competitions.
"I wanna be clear that I strive to have love for all of mankind, regardless of any differences," she said, admitting that other female surfers on tour have concerns but have a fear of being "ostracized" if they speak up.
"Have any of the current surfers in the World Surf League been asked what their thoughts and opinions are on this new rule before it was passed or announced? Should there be a conversation with the 17 women and all of the men on tour prior to a rule change such as this?” she asked.
"Is a hormone level an honest and accurate depiction that someone indeed is a male or female? Is it as simple as this?" she concluded. "I personally won’t be competing in or supporting the World Surf League if this rule remains."
While the surfer has garnered massive support on Instagram, trans allies have taken to social media to condemn Hamilton.
"bethany hamilton being transphobic on the tl... girl stop making me root for the shark," wrote @TheBellaLuxury.
Another Twitter user, @_sorryimsydney_ added, "bethany hamilton just came out as a transphobic and wellll let's just say the shark tried to warn us."
"Bethany Hamilton is a TERF?" asked @gymandwhizz. "Goddamn the shark should've finished the job."
On October 2003, Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack in Hawaii. The blood loss nearly took her life, but the young surfing prodigy made a surprising comeback on the board after recovering. It’s sad that the same people who claim to “support women” are beating down a natural-born female for stating she will not compete in unfair competitions. The shark comments will likely get brushed off as “jokes,” but they shouldn’t be.
Hamilton’s traumatic experience is not something to be laughed at. In fact, the people who are cruelly making fun of her tragedy are showing misogynistic behavior – they’re just veiled by “trans activism.”
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