A trans teen withdrew from the girls’ division of an Irish Dance contest in Florida after the organizers were pressured by state officials to kick her out. However, it is unclear whether the girl’s participation in the competition would have actually violated any law.
“No young person should become the center of a political fight simply because they want to participate in the activities they love,” said Public Policy Manager for Equality Florida Quinn Diaz in a statement. “At a time when Florida is competing to attract visitors, talent, and major events from around the world, the question for our leaders is simple: will we send a message that our doors are closed, that ours is only a state for some? Or will we make it clear that everyone is welcome here?”
The Irish dance contest is governed by the Irish Dance Teachers’ Association of North America (IDTANA). That organization has trans-inclusive policies that allow competitors to decide how they compete. They have previously defended those policies, and the community has supported that move, including by setting up a petition to the Dublin-based governing body, An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), to voice their unequivocal support for the inclusion of trans dancers.
Who cares what bigots think? What does it matter whether they’re competing or not?
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Segregation is okay if the victim is trans, got it.
If a person wants to exclude others from their “space” just because those others are trans, or gay, or whatever, then that person needs to shut the fuck up and deal with the problem in their own head. Because that’s where the problem really is and the rest of us shouldn’t have to deal with their bigoted bullshit.
That’s your prerogative to think that way but you hold the minority opinion and I hope it stays a minority opinion.
No, opposition to segregation isn’t a minority opinion. There are no 'Whites only" safe spaces that are socially acceptable anymore, and you’re disgusting for wanting the equivalent of that.
You’re being obtuse. Being pro segregation of gendered spaces is a normal opinion to have.
In 1,000 BCE when we were sending women who were on their periods into the woods so that they wouldn’t dirty the rest of the tribe I guess. It’s 2026. Gender is a social construct. “gendered spaces” has never been a majority opinion thing in history, and every society has had periods of unisex equality and periods of extreme segregation.
Let’s not bring back the extreme segregation when we’re actually pretty close to abolition of such incredible bigotry and stupidity.
You and I have vastly different ideas of what the word extreme means if you’re applying it to an Irish girls dance.
There’s a reason women say they would rather be alone with a bear than a man.
And you’re the one that brought up men. No part of this article or discussion was about men specifically. This is why gender education and eventual abolition is important, so bigots like you can understand what the word means.