In an utterly extraordinary two-minute broadcast that’s deservedly making the rounds, Texan sports anchor Dale Hansen came out in defense of the trans teen who’s unwittingly found himself at the center of a national controversy.
Hansen refers to Mack Beggs, the 17-year-old wrestler who won a state girls’ wrestling title despite identifying as male and taking testosterone as part of his gender confirmation process.
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The anchorman had some choice words in regards to those Texas state regulations that forced Beggs to compete according to the sex on his birth certificate.
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The WFAA-TV reporter says:
“Maybe I just hoped that in 2017, we would be done arguing about birth certificates, but obviously we’re not. Somebody has to find a better answer than what we’re being given now.”
Later on in the broadcast, he states:
“Transitioning is a struggle I cannot imagine. It is a journey I could not make….
[Beggs] needs our support, and he does not need a group of old men in Austin telling him who to wrestle because of a genetic mixup at birth… He’s a child, simply looking for his place in the world, and a chance to compete in the world.”
By Thursday afternoon, the video had already received well over 647,000 views on Facebook.
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Among those who’ve praised Hansen’s speech were Montel Williams and Sarah McBride:
@Benioff this is must see – @dalehansen breaks down the war on trans people… Truly profound… https://t.co/16a3HeX72D
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) March 2, 2017
Dallas @wfaachannel8 sports anchor @dalehansen gets it: Mack should be allowed to compete and pursue his dreams. https://t.co/Z0TwsaAXUp
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) February 28, 2017
Beggs has yet to personally respond to Hansen’s speech, but speaking to The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday, he said he’s surprised by just how much attention the story is getting.
“This is nuts,” he said, claiming the case is part of a “bigger, more complex situation.”
“My masculinity doesn’t define who I am. I define who I am.”
Watch Dale Hansen’s powerful remarks below (click the speaker icon to turn the sound on once the video starts):
imaqt2
I guess I’m confused why we keep calling him “he” then.
1898
Yes, you are confused.
DMRX
He is a female-to-male transgender. Got it now?
Ksb1978
Bravo! With so many cis men ( gay or straight) suffering from fragile masculinity, it’s nice see someone who knows what’s real.
inbama
Absolutely.
If you haven’t done hormone therapy, you don’t really know what manhood is.
Jack Meoff
It’s great to see someone who has no vested interest in a cause speak up on behalf of another. This man deserves the praise he is receiving.
myloginname
That produced some happy tears.
radiooutmike
Incredible.
He admits that he does not understand. He admits he has no problems. He admits that men revealing they are gay to him makes him uncomfortable.
Yet, he has still has compassion and knows what is fair and decent. If only more people were like this.
ait10101
Yes, It would be nice if more humans showed humanity like that.
walter_sabo
Very proud to see a broadcaster doing the right thing.