I think something that's holding sports back from being a space of comfort right now, especially in the States, is the fighting and misinformation exacerbated by the anti-transgender bills each year.

A lot of people will automatically assume that, "Oh, well, you were born with testosterone so you have an advantage."

By saying that you have completely discredited every single ounce of work that I have put in to become a better athlete.

I'm in the gym four or five times a week, for an hour or two hours at a time. I'm on my skates all the time. I put in hours and hours of work to become better at roller derby and park skating. Hours to figure out different tricks and new tricks, pushing my body as far as I can, or even past that sometimes.

People don't have a problem with you unless you do well. So if I do well, will people just assume that I'm doing great because I am, or will they assume that I have this 'advantage'?

Should I hold myself back? Should I not do as good as I think I should? Should I not push myself as hard? Those are some of the biggest struggles for me.

As transgender individuals in the States, we are having to fight so much from the assumptions that are being made about us from misinformation, ignorance, lack of awareness.

[To be continued under ‘Support’ tomorrow]