Florida governor Ron DeSantis put his transphobia on full display while challenging the results of last week’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) swimming championship women’s 500-yard freestyle event.
Trans athlete Lia Thomas narrowly beat Florida-native Emma Weyant, but not according to DeSantis.
In a proclamation that misgenders Thomas and has no bearing on the results, the governor declared Weyant, who previously won the silver medal at the 400m individual medley at the Tokyo Olympics, the “rightful winner” of the event.
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“By allowing men to compete in women’s sports, the NCAA is destroying opportunities for women, making a mockery of its championships, and perpetuating a fraud,” DeSantis tweeted along with the proclamation.
He continued: “In Florida, we reject these lies and recognize Sarasota’s Emma Weyant as the best women’s swimmer in the 500y freestyle.”
By allowing men to compete in women's sports, the NCAA is destroying opportunities for women, making a mockery of its championships, and perpetuating a fraud.
In Florida, we reject these lies and recognize Sarasota's Emma Weyant as the best women's swimmer in the 500y freestyle. pic.twitter.com/tBmFxFE3q6
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 22, 2022
DeSantis’ position that transgender athletes being allowed to compete puts “ideology ahead of opportunity for women athletes” has no scientific basis, according to experts.
Many were quick to call out his transphobic comments for what they are:
Ron DeSantis is a transphobic POS. https://t.co/daIAedDeVo
— Matt Murphy (@MattMurph24) March 22, 2022
imaigine being so aggressively transphobic for no reason whatsoever that you issue an entire STATEMENT claiming that the “true winner” of the division 1 500-yard freestyle is the girl who won second place to Lia Thomas, just because Lia is trans. https://t.co/vheP4rUHXW
— May from Pokémon Emerald 🏳️⚧️🥁 (@Mayamar4760) March 22, 2022
Since when does ANY governor get to decide who wins NCAA competitions or other events?
Take a hike, DeSantis, you transphobic ass. https://t.co/1TsQ027shS— Cathy Pegau📚🌈 Read The Demon Equilibrium out NOW (@CathyPegau) March 22, 2022
Now he’s going after trans people. 2020 was the deadliest year on record for violence against transgender people. This divisive, disgusting tweet is as dangerous as DeSantis’ miserable, misogynistic vote against the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act. #RemoveRon #VoteBlueFL https://t.co/O7dnt3pxdE
— Lesley Abravanel 🇺🇦 (@lesleyabravanel) March 22, 2022
So does this mean Floridians can declare the runner up in the last governor’s race the winner and force DeSantis to step down or is this just utter transphobic nonsense? https://t.co/OArK1Vh7P8
— Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) March 23, 2022
Last year, DeSantis signed legislation banning trans athletes from competing in women’s athletics in Florida high schools and colleges.
He’s also signaled support for the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which now sits on his desk awaiting signature after it was passed by the state senate earlier this month.
SamB
Good for him for standing up for women.
Cam
Says the account that regularly spews hatred at women.
Ohhhhhh, right, I forgot, you only like women when you can use it as an attack on Transpeople.
As always, your troll game is sad and weak.
BaltoSteve
Huh, right on time and on brand, bless your tiny little heart.
ZzBomb
Here’s the thing, he’s not standing up for women, b/c that’s not his place considering his stances on reproductive rights. If anyone has any right to say anything it would be the athletes and they can take it up w/ the NCAA if they had a problem with it. Since it doesn’t appear ANY ONE OF THEM DO, this is really none of his or your business.
SamB
Zz: How about bravo for him standing up for women’s sports. And many of the women in these sports do have a problem, they’re just afraid to state it because of course people like you are going to call them transphobes… even though you just claimed it’s really none of your business.
jt1990
@Cam fyi, a trans woman is not the same as a real (natural born) female. Even with hormone therapies and whatever else, Lia Thomas is still genetically a man. If I’m sick with covid but feel ‘normal’ after taking an ibuprofen, does that mean I don’t have covid anymore?
“DeSantis’ position that transgender athletes being allowed to compete puts “ideology ahead of opportunity for women athletes” has no scientific basis, according to experts.”
Stuff like this is why people are losing their trust in ‘experts’ and ‘science’ folks!
Eternal.Cowboy
It still slays me that you don’t know the difference between human anatomy and an inanimate object. Whew…. that will never get old.
ZzBomb
“And many of the women in these sports do have a problem, they’re just afraid to state it because of course people like you are going to call them transphobes…”
Yeah that’s not happening. That is an assumption that feeds into your own myopic hateful belief without any substantive proof supporting it.
Again, this is none of your business.
BaltoSteve
How adorable, doubling down. Again, right on time and on brand. Almost as if it is your job to sow discord. Oh.. wait… Well, we all see.
SamB
Cowboy: It still slays me that you admit that you think it’s fine for adults to s@xually groom children.
Zz: Lashing out is typical for people like you who have nothing to add.
Polaro
Darn it, I’m forced to agree with Sam. Trans women deserve respect and support. They should not be competing against women is sports however because this is one area where it is unfair and unnecessary. This is not an all or nothing issue. I think this hurts support for trans women and pits women against trans women, which is exactly what the enemies of trans people love.
ZzBomb
Where did I lash out? All I did was point out how you clearly make assumptions based on what YOU want to believe without having any substantive proof to back it up. That’s not lashing out, that’s showing the degree of ignorance and incompetence you exhibit here on the daily.
SamB
Zz: You don’t state anything with substance. Platitudes and then when asked for clarification you avoid the question with comments like “i don’t owe you anything” Is that why you use “Zz” as a nick? Because you’re tiresome?
Bosch
Bait.
ZzBomb
I don’t have to state anything of substance as I am not the one making the claim that “many of the women in these sports do have a problem, they’re just afraid to state it…”
Burden of proof is always on the person making the claim. So nut up or shut up.
SamB
Zz: I’m not writing a paper with footnotes and this is clearly not the place where we can add links etc. It’s easily Googled so if you want to ignore what’s out there, that’s your problem.
You claimed Jess & TAP were being “ignorant” when they said (below) that a biological man has an advantage over a biological woman in most sports… but then nothing to back it up. So you’re doing exactly what you’re accusing others of doing.
Quick question: Define “Woman”.
ZzBomb
Sam, I’m not asking for a dissertation but it’s funny how there’s no supporting evidence to be found for your claim.
Again, burden of PROOF is always on those making the claim. Since you have provided none, you should really shut up.
ZzBomb
Oh and also “Sam” you need to look up the appropriate usage of “apostrophes” b/c you’ve been “misquoting” me the whole time.
Cheers hater
keyth57
Yup. I agree.
Eternal.Cowboy
Poor little SamB is twisting itself into all kinds of knots.
The Accidental Polemicist
@ZzBomb
@SamB
A report in Post Millennial shows that a mother of one Ivy League swimmer in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competitions said that many competitors are frightened of academic, professional, and personal repercussions if they express their thoughts.
The mother said the members of the Penn team and other Ivy League teams are now frightened of losing friends or being kicked off of their teams. They are afraid of being labeled as “transphobic and hateful” by their universities and school communities.
MarcyMayer
Governor DeSantis will be easily re-elected in Florida and he may be the next President of the United States.
MarcyMayer
ZzBomb:
Although I’m pro-choice, the truth is that half of all aborted fetuses are female, so, yes, DeSantis does support women’s rights.
MarcyMayer
Polaro makes a GREAT point when he/she said:
“In 2020 we lost seats in the house. Did not win Senate seats we should have won leaving us impotent on real progressive legislation. Barely beat a totalitarian, misogynist sociopath for president. We’ve lost ground in state governments. If you think 2020 was a ringing success, wait for 2022. Poster child for the republicans: Lia Thomas.
Voter suppression and gerrymandering is only possible because Republicans control the state houses. Why is that? They said that controlling the state houses and gerrymandering was their strategy 20 years ago. The democrats did nothing…and funny what happened. But, by all means die on the Lia Thomas hill. See my point?”
ShiningSex
transwomen are women you idiot
barryaksarben
We always know where Samb stands or grovels. POS loves hatred. His tiny appendage gets a stiffy attacking any form of femininity cuz he is a weak little man but it must hurt his tiny brain to hate women but have to defend them from the fictional trans revolution. POS just like DiSantis
Mister P
He is standing against trans women, not for cis women.
Polaro
Or both?
jt1990
Give Lia Thomas credit. I hear she worked her balls off to win that competition!
(My apologies but someone had to say it)
ShiningSex
We don’t need to hear your stupidity out loud. It’s said with disgust.
Cam
Republicans are exposed as anti-American Putin supporters, so as always, they will desperately make up phony problems at the border, or scream about transgender people to distract.
Polaro
I agree. They love to distract. Problem is that we indulge them.
MarcyMayer
Oh, Cam, you will be so, so sad when you’re hit by the Red Wave in November. What will you do when Pelosi and Schumer are de-throned??? Nothing. That’s what!
Bwahaha!!!
jt1990
MarcyMayer I like the sound of a ‘Red Wave’ in November! By then my alma mater should also once again be ranked high in the playoffs. I’ll be rooting for a Red Wave and Crimson Tide!
drmiller
It’s amazing. Absolutely amazing. A man who has never once given an ounce of shit about women’s sports is suddenly giving exactly one ounce of shit because a trans athlete is competing. You don’t care about the massive pay gay between men and women athletes. You don’t care about the disparity in air time. You don’t care about the rampant sexual misconduct in women’s sports. You have never shown any interest in anything at all related to women’s sports and now ~suddenly~ you are worried about their competitive advantage? Miss me with this garbage. It’s an excuse to be transphobic in the name of women’s rights and it’s gross. This man needs to be voted out. Utter trash.
barryaksarben
My niece has been very involved on a national level as both an athlete and as a coach and administrator so I know how truly UNEQUAL woman sports till are after years of titleX. As a national champion in an individual sport to a coach she was forced to pay her way where a man in the same postion in the same sport got so many advantages it was sickening. The college teams on the women side have so little support even from their own schools it is laughable. Teams must have freaking bake sales to attend major sporting events. I bet Florida colleges have HUGE disparities in their programs which is what this giant pos should be focusing on instead of the minute number of trans athletes. Just right wingnut bullshit as usual. Hey Samb what womens sport have you ever attended? you never leave your mom’s basement
JessPH
Have you all seen Lia Thomas?
No one in his right mind would think that Thomas has no physical advantage over biological women.
The Accidental Polemicist
The hormone-suppressant therapy doesn’t reverse the advantages of testosterone-driven puberty which translates into greater height, greater natural strength, bigger hands and feet, and enhanced lung capacity. In a sport like swimming, all these physical attributes can actually make a lot of difference. Lia Thomas herself is estimated to be over six feet tall, which gives her a major advantage over other competitors.
ZzBomb
I don’t claim to be the end all be all compendium of knowledge on transgenderism, but your level of ignorance is astounding!
SamB
Zz: Please explain how he’s being ignorant.
BaltoSteve
Haha.. there you go… Eris.. I mean SamB.. Just sowing that discord and trying to enflame…
ZzBomb
@Sam This isn’t your convo, I have no obligation to fulfil your request.
Polaro
Yeah, zzz, not sure you understand.
The Accidental Polemicist
@SamB
ZzBomb can’t explain why it is “ignorant” because it isn’t.
You notice how good they are at ad hominem attacks and shortsighted on substance and examples? As a former Democrat, I understand it as I used to do the same thing.
ZzBomb
@ Sam
You need to look up the definition of ad hominem
Eternal.Cowboy
Zz –
The list of things SamB needs to look up is lengthy.
ShiningSex
Saying ignorant sh*t like that perpetuates hate towards transpeople.
People act like trans women look like some buff dude (Serena Williams is pretty buff but doesn’t any complain about her?). Take a look online at trans women athletes and see how they look. So does a trans man have a disadvantage and shouldn’t compete with other men?
Transpeople have the right to compete. Hate is hate! Our community is also full of ignorant gays
MarcyMayer
ShiningSex:
When I first saw Serena Williams and Wendy Williams I thought they were transwomen. Really!
barryaksarben
SO how about the trans male’s who compete in their sports? how unfair for them right? You anti trans people are so horrible. Worry about the funding disparity between women’s and men’s sports which keeps thousands of female athletes from even playing at all. THAT is what my gov the giant asshole DISantis should truly be worried about.
Prax07
I loathe Desantis, he’s not fit for any elected office, but he’s right about this. Lots of people are pissed that dude won. He never should have been allowed in the women’s category to begin with. Trans athletes want to participate, make their own category in sports. Or make an optional All category in these sports where it’s a free for all in who can/want participate.
Eternal.Cowboy
Rather than do that why don’t we get a bigots only comment section where you clowns can just talk to each other.
barryaksarben
Thank you eternalcowboy. anti trans is a a false flag. If he was a REAL gov he would focus on the financial disparity between female and male sports programs in our states colleges that prevent thousands of females from even having a chance to play at all. THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM in SPORTS. This anti trans bullshit is just a red flag to stir the simple minded to think they know shit about this issue
BaltoSteve
First, that proclamation isn’t even worth the paper on which it is printed. His tired ass has no authority to proclaim who is the actual winner. But hey that’s never stopped politicians of his ilk in recent years. Secondly, his ignorance and/or intolerance in what being trans is and the safeguards already codified by NCAA about trans athletes is glaring. He chooses to remain in ignorance and it is unfortunate for his constituents.
Fahd
For once, a thoughtful headline to a Queerty story.
Eternal.Cowboy
So he signed a proclamation that does nothing for the sole purpose of letting everyone know he hates trans people. And now equally bigoted people are applauding him for “protecting women’s sports” even though he has done nothing to address equity in sports.
Desantis cheerleaders are like a dog that chases a ball that was never thrown.
The Accidental Polemicist
@Eternal.Cowboy
Why do you hate women?
Eternal.Cowboy
Sorry sis, I have seen your loopy posts. Not taking the bait.
The Accidental Polemicist
@Eternal.Cowboy
I understand. You can’t take it.
Eternal.Cowboy
Yeah, that didn’t work either. Not particularly good at this trolling thing are you?
barryaksarben
I have to ask SAMB and all the rest anti trans idiots if they HAVE EVER attened a women’s sporting event on the college level. SInce they are here lying about their sexuality I doubt they will be honest about having NEVER going to any woman’s sporting events and have never given it a single damned thought til they could air their hatred of femininity or the would KNOW that the true problem in women’s sport is the funding inequity between them and the men’s programs. TITLE X was passed to stop this but it is worse than ever
Polaro
Ack…for once I agree with DeSantis. I support trans women, but they should not be competing against women in sports. Why do we insist on doubling down on bad ideas that give the enemy a weapon? If you think most people don’t agree with DeSantis on this, you live in a bubble. Lia is a selfish person who is hurting our need to protect trans people’s access to health care, equality in employment and housing and safety. Her need to win is just plain selfish.
ShiningSex
saying you agree with garbage says a lot about YOU.
saying you support trans women doesn’t mean denying these rights so say what you really mean which is “you only support them TO A DEGREE” and that’s ignorance!
Polaro
P.s. The reason DeSantis is pushing this is because it gives their “Don’t Say Gay” bill cover. Every time we overreach they pounce. And we’re smug about it as we continue to lose elections we should win.
ZzBomb
2020: Won the House, the Senate, and WH. We’d win more if it weren’t for decades of right wing voter suppression and gerrymandering. But why do I need to point out the obvious?
Polaro
In 2020 we lost seats in the house. Did not win Senate seats we should have won leaving us impotent on real progressive legislation. Barely beat a totalitarian, misogynist sociopath for president. We’ve lost ground in state governments. If you think 2020 was a ringing success, wait for 2022. Poster child for the republicans: Lia Thomas.
Voter suppression and gerrymandering is only possible because Republicans control the state houses. Why is that? They said that controlling the state houses and gerrymandering was their strategy 20 years ago. The democrats did nothing…and funny what happened. But, by all means die on the Lia Thomas hill. See my point?
barryaksarben
POLARO I have to point out TRUMP lost by the widest margin in history so did not just barely win. HE was trounced but his constant lying awith the support of lying gop turds have convinced people it was close. It was not
The Accidental Polemicist
Up until last year, Thomas was competing in the men’s division, before undergoing a yearlong transitioning process.
During the last season in the NCAA, Lia Thomas competed in the men’s division, in 2018-19. There, she ranked 554th in the 200-yd freestyle, and she is now fifth in the event this year.
Furthermore, in the 500-yd freestyle, Thomas was 65th in the country. Now, she ranked first place in the event this year.
This unfair treatment of female athletes is going from bad to worse with the left’s bizarre gender identity campaign being aggressively imposed by Joe Biden. He has some absurd initiatives like the ‘Equality Act’ and the ‘Transgender’ executive order in the pipeline that would require the unqualified inclusion of biological men who choose to identify themselves as a female in women’s sports.
ZzBomb
(Citation Needed)
The Accidental Polemicist
@ZzBomb
I’m not your assistant. Look it up, lazy.
Polaro
I believe the numbers are not far off. Thomas was barely competitive as a man and is now dominate as a woman. But, seriously, who in their right mind does not understand how men can dominate women in sports or why we have title IX?
It is a choice, protect women’s sports for women only to avoid unfair competition, or allow trans women to compete as women to support their transition. Both position have benefits and draw backs. Allowing trans women to compete as women will result in most records, over time, being held by trans women. It means some women will not get to compete.
I believe we are best served by keeping women’s sports women only. This means trans women will not be able to compete in competitive women’s sports. They can still compete in men’s sports, if sport is truly the goal. There are ramifications to all of our choices.
MarcyMayer
All the cis gender women haters here.
Sad.
I thought that Queerty was a site which promoted liberal values and tolerance, but then they refer to the Governor of America’s 3rd largest state as “human garbage”
That doesn’t sound liberal or open-minded or tolerant.
The truth is Left-wing fascism is alive and well here at Queerty.
Kangol2
MarcyMayer, are you not standing up for a fellow transwoman?
MarcyMayer
Kangol2:
I think that Lia Thomas is wrong and she is only going to generate animus and ill will between cis women and transwomen. We should be allies and not competitors in the realm of human rights.
I wouldn’t compete in a cis gender women’s sport because I’d have an unfair advantage – although when I was a gay man I was a sissy at heart.
Statistics don’t lie. When Lia competed as a cis man, she was ranked in the 400s nationally, but now as a transwomen, she is ranking as number one in women’s swimming competitions. The proof is right there. Her size, weight, and musculature are giving her this advantage.
Now, if Lea could only compete against cis women who have her size, weight, and musculature, I would change my mind.
barryaksarben
BS being liberal does not mean being nice to human garbage. It is calling out the truth which you seem impervious too. I know trans women and have for 5 decades and not once have any of them ever said anything remotely anti cis women. NEVER, they admire real women and support them. And again for the cheap seats the REAL problem in women’s sports at the college lever is the VAST financial disparity between mens’ and women’s programs. THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM my human garbage gov wont go near because it actually supports women (ALL WOMEN). so stfu already oh and I am a Roosevelt progressive liberal whose hero is a woman – Francis Perkins, the mother of f Soc Sec , child labor laws and anything that is progressive in this country since the 40s – go read a book.
inbama
Trans women should be free to go about their business and live their lives in peace.
So should the other 99% of the population who aren’t trans.
Women’s sports was created to protect women from having to compete with men who are by nature generally larger and stronger.
That is biology, and not gender.
Florida should be a warning – being dishonest on this subject puts gay rights at risk. There is going to be a huge backlash, and we’re going to be swept up in it. Lie and bully the posters who are being honest at your own risk.
Kangol2
Actually the history of women’s sports is different; they weren’t created “to protect women from having to compete with men who are by nature generally larger and stronger,” but because women were barred from competing with men, not just in sports but in most spheres of life. Women have had to battle for everything in terms of equal or even quasi-equal rights. In the last three decades we have increasingly seen young women competing against men in certain sports, like ice hockey, water polo, etc. but it is still the case that sports at the elementary, secondary and collegiate level, as well as the professional one, are segregated by sex and gender.
wnucme
Gov. DeSantis continuing to make logical and sane decisions. Keep up the great work. Women’s sports matter.
ShiningSex
you are ignorant. why are you on here? are you a gay republican? (which makes as much sense as a black in the KKK). are you on the DL? Your opinion of hate is NOT welcomed. Ignorance is ignorance!
Transpeople deserve the right to participate in sports of their gender, NOT what gender YOU feel they should be. Stop transphobia!!!!
MarcyMayer
ShiningSex:
Are you the head of the thought police here at Queerty?
The LGBTQ+ community has members who don’t agree on every issue. Just like not all men or all women or all Hispanics or all black people think alike.
You’re like the lavender gestapo.
ShiningSex
TRANSWOMEN ARE WOMEN AND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE WITH OTHER WOMEN. ANYONE AGAINST IT, IS TRANSPHOBIC. DON’T SUGAR COAT YOUR IGNORANCE. IT’S SIMPLY THAT. YOU CAN’T PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT IS OK FOR TRANSPEOPLE. RIGHTS ARE RIGHTS. END OF STORY. STOP THE IGNORANCE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.
MarcyMayer
I’m a transwoman and I don’t think that transwomen should compete against cis gender women in sports.
The LGBTQ+ community is NOT monolithic, much to your chagrin – I’m sure.
barryaksarben
Marcy you are a lying pos. Saying you are trans is so dishonest you lying pos. I have seen you on other sights yo are just a misogonistic pos who sits in his moms basement screaming he is gay or trans or whatever thinking we are as stupid as trumps deplorables. Having a tiny tiny penis does not make you trans. There is no logical reason to be anti trans if you are gay. IF yo are you need to take a long damned look in the mirror because YOU are the problem. I have been involved with women’s college sports my whole life and the REAL problem is the financial disparity between men’s and women’s sports programs which my human garbage gov will never address because in reality he wont do shit FOR women
Jim
POS is too kind to describe this fool.
Halfnhalf
Well for all you dinos willing to throw me under the bus. I completely disagree. I think people are getting tired of the Nazis. I think democrats will get some seats back in the house and maybe add to the Senate. You do know that Lia is rare in that she is competing. It’s rare for transwomen to win. Check the data. I’m really offended by your attitude. I’ve been a progressive my whole life. I’ve never voted for a republican. If trans women can’t compete as women, then they won’t be able to compete in sports. That’s a wonderful sign to send to a transgender child. “You really look nice in your dress, Mary, but you won’t be able to do any sports. We’ll just give you a PE waiver. How’s that? I know what it’s like to have a target on your back as a child. This issue is more than one person in one swimming event. This is a transitional stage for society. When trans people are accepted, and allowed to grow up in their gender and get the correct care. there won’t be any differences.
The Accidental Polemicist
Biology is such a bigot.
MarcyMayer
I’m a transwoman, a libertarian, and I intend to vote Republican in November.
Boy, are you out of touch.
Biden’s and the Democrat’s messes in Afghanistan and Ukraine, highest inflation rate in 40 years, high gas prices, highest crime rates, 2 million illegal aliens flooding over the border, rampant homelessness, supply-chain shortages, Covid still raging, etc., will elect a Republican-controlled Senate and House – and lots of Republican governorships and state legislatures.
You will be so, so sad when you’re hit by the Red Wave in November. What will you do when Pelosi and Schumer are de-throned??? Obviously: Nothing!
The Accidental Polemicist
@MarcyMayer
Red wave? I hope it’s a red tsunami!!!
And it will be so well deserved. 🙂
inbama
Halfnhalf,
We’re not throwing you under the bus – we’re just trying to stop you from driving it off a cliff.
barryaksarben
thank you. nice to hear a real trans woman speak as opposed to the lying marcy who we have discovered on other sites is no more a trans woman than Don jr. THE REAL PROBLEM that effects thousands of women at the college level is the huge financial disparity between the men’s and women’s program. I love, respect and love my trans brothers and sisters and will always support them. ANd I dont give a shit how the elections go as the right is of course cheating on every level to go against the very wishes of the American people. Look at roe v wade, over 80% of the American public WANTS abortion available yet the religious bigots and the female haters like Marcy in all her screen names try to push their beliefs on the vast majority. sick bastards
johncp56
He is a male pus ridden C!@#$%^&*(TT!!!!!!!