I'm presuming that Hiltz accepts that Hiltz's biological sex is female. I would then expect that Hiltz is delighted to be the fastest American biological female.
Gender is a construct and refers at least in part to how one identifies. As far as I understand Hiltz is fluid in this respect, identifying as one or other gender at different points in time.
One can argue whether a biological female identifying as a male is a delusion or not, but there is no paradox as regards to such a person contesting a race for biological females, but feeling at that moment like a male.
It's not complicated - at least in this case: one competes in the division to which you genetically/biologically belong, irrespective of how one feels or identifies at that time (for example a genetic female who feels like a guy at that moment). As far as the competition is concerned it's totally irrelevant what the competitors are identifying as.
Here a biological woman took place in a biological women's contest and set a regional record. Whether that person was identifying as a man, woman or thoroughbred racehorse at the time is irrelevant.
*I do realize where it gets more complicated is for the few unfortunate individuals whose biological sex is more ambiguous.
This is well said^^ it really doesn't matter how Hiltz identifies, they have no advantage over anyone in the field, so they hold the American record for that category which they fairly compete in
This is a serious question, not trolling. I'm kinda lost on some of this gender identity and records. If a person does not identify as a specific gender do they care about breaking a gender specific record? Are they happy or upset because they are being gender labeled for a record? I believe in the past they have complained about announcers using the wrong pronouns, so it seems they would be upset about breaking a American "women's" record? Crazy times
Why do you think it's a gender record? It's a biological sex record - female.
Gender should be like religion - none of your business and irrelavent to sports.
This is a serious question, not trolling. I'm kinda lost on some of this gender identity and records. If a person does not identify as a specific gender do they care about breaking a gender specific record? Are they happy or upset because they are being gender labeled for a record? I believe in the past they have complained about announcers using the wrong pronouns, so it seems they would be upset about breaking a American "women's" record? Crazy times
Yep. Wondering this exact thing. Nikki isn’t a woman so they shouldn’t be setting women’s records, and it would be cruel to suggest they are
The fact is that Nikki Hiltz is the new female United States record holder for the mile. What an achievement. It's too bad that the achievement is unappreciated because of all this other nonsense. A rose by any other name is still a rose. Nikki by any other name is still Nikki. I think she's a great person. Great job Nikki. I knew during your Aptos years that you would join the ranks of Maggie Vessey and Brett Goucher as accomplished Santa Cruz County track stars. Vanessa Fraser might join your ranks if she tries the marathon. I think that's where she'll excel.
I totally agree! I saw a video of a reporter asking Hiltz how they felt about breaking the WOMEN’S AR and Hiltz was all smiles and blah, blah. I simply don’t understand if Hiltz does not identify as a woman. It should go to the top 🇺🇸 who identifies as a woman. Not trying to be cruel, but Hiltz seems to be representing trans/non-binary people but yet is ok to take the women’s record? I don’t get it.
Gender should be like religion - none of your business and irrelavent to sports.
Can we print and frame this before you realize you've contradicted your previous bigotry?
If you truly believed this you wouldn't have been foaming at the mouth on the front page every other week for the past decade because Nikki is literally the very first elite that is transgender in 100 years of running so why would any other person in any other race bother you? It would be "irrelavent to sports".
BTW how exactly would you know Nikki is not on a TUE for testosterone or other androgen?
WADA isn't going to tell anyone and technically they could go up to 2.5 or 5.0 or 10 nmol/L or whatever the standard becomes.
2012 CIF State Meet - Girls 1600m2012 California Interscholastic Federation State Track MeetMemorial Stadium at Buchanan High SchoolJune 2, 20121 Nikki Hilt...
I’m honestly a fan of Nikki and always root for her, she usually races well and is fast af. The whole weird “well actually you have to call me a they and I deserve special applause for somehow sort of being a member of a protected group” detracts from her excellence. It’s like if someone demanded they be called an Anglo American instead of an American, and if you forget the Anglo you’re a bad person. It’s just a bizarre, narcissistic and unnecessary self created controversy. If it was dropped, we could just have threads like “who would win in a mile, Nikki Hiltz or Tuohy with a 200m head start”
I don’t understand how it’s this hard for folks to understand that Nikki identifies as non-binary and has preferred pronouns that they would like announcers to use out of respect. It’s no different than calling them “Nikki” rather than their full name Dominique. Simultaneously, the professional running world does not have non-binary divisions in most competitions. Since Nikki is a biological female, they have to compete in the female division despite having a gender identity that is not aligned with the race category. Both things can be true at the same time due to the limitations of the sport. This situation is not difficult to understand, and they’re not asking for special accommodations. I get that the broader topic of trans inclusion is sports is complicated, but this person’s participation in track is not. Please find something more interesting to talk about.
I get all that, and I'm sympathetic. But, like many, I think the pronouns thing is really confusing and awkward in conversation. Awkward because no one is used to it. Confusing because the first thought a listener or reader thinks is that the speaker is talking about a group rather than one person.
I don't care if someone calls yourself "we" (though that would also be confusing!) but expecting others to change the nature of the English language is asking for something that will always be awkward.
Real question: Trying to respectful, and using "they" to refer to a non-binary person who prefers that, shouldn't we be using singular "is" and "has" instead of "are" and "have"? That would reduce some of the confusion. So, "They is going out fast!", at least you know you aren't talking about the entire pack vs. "They are going out fast!" Similarly, "They has (made up number) 10 wins so far this season!" could be talking about an individual vs. "They have 10 wins so far this season." where you would easily interpret that to mean the club or team.
Hiltz competes in women's races, and (as far as I know) is not physically transitioning to male via hormones or surgery. I can only conclude they are a biological woman, competing as a woman. I see no conflict between this, and indentifying as non-binary, and using they/them pronouns.
The best way to find out facts about transgender or non-binary people, is to ask them. Each person has the right to identify as they see fit. Furthermore, it's important to understand that these identifications arise from the heart, mind and personal feelings of each person.
The idea that there exists recruitment or "grooming" of trans, non-binary or LGBTQ people is false. This idea is promoted by cynical politicians and media people who have an agenda to divide people, and divert attention from issues of substance, for personal or political gain. These ideas are also taken up by sincere people who lack critical thinking skills, who have been manipulated by said cynical politicians and media talking heads.
The question is not about gender identity, politics blah blah bulls**t - i couldn't care less.
But if her being trans means she takes drugs that give her an advantage it does seem pretty relevant.. i don't see any point at all in women's races if the top 3, top 5, top 10 all eventually become half-men. Anyone participating should at least clearlystate which if any drugs they are taking.
I really didn't think this had to be clarified, but no, Nikki Hiltz is not taking testosterone or any hormones/drugs involved in transitioning to male. If they were, they would be banned from competition per world athletics rules. Not all people who identify as transgender choose to take hormones to transition. Non-binary is not the same as transgender, and also not the same as intersex. Hiltz is the American record holder in the women's mile, because they compete in the women's category, which is completely fair to do so as they comply with world athletics rules.
I know that because I, like most here, have been on the LR forum for a long time. But, yes, it should be clarified all the time, including on TV, when they have reason to bring up Nikki being non-binary, because most people watching don't know that she isn't taking male hormones ,and they don't know the World Athletics rules.
