Trans wrestler is now allowed to compete against boys, but there is a catch
Transgender wrestler Mack Beggs has been given approval to compete against males, but there’s a catch.
The teen was told that he is now allowed to wrestle boys but only during the off-season.
The policy, which allows Beggs to fight against male opponents, is newly adopted by USA Wrestling. It determines that female to male trans people are only allowed to compete in the male category.
However, this goes against a policy instated by the University Interscholastic League which requires public school students to compete in the gender category that they were assigned at birth.
The policy change comes a month after Beggs won the girls’ state wrestling title – much to the dismay of parents of other contenders who took legal action to sue the 17-year-old.
Parents argued that Beggs had an “unfair advantage” because of his testosterone treatment, although he was literally forced to compete in the girls 110 pound category.
A number of trans-sports activists believe that Beggs’ case could mean a huge change for trans athletes in the future.
Chris Mosier, one of the first athletes to come out as transgender, said that the policy was “not well thought out”.
“Mack is challenging what people thought was a good policy.
“This very well may spark change from people just by seeing how the policy was not well thought out and this is the outcome of following the rules exactly as they are.”
Since his case hit headlines, Beggs has pushed to send an important message to the young trans community.
The wrestler spoke about how he felt suicidal when he was younger, but insisted his “persistence and hardwork” has paid of.
“There’s always going to be another day or another week, you just have to keep going,” he said.
