A longtime ESPN reporter, who has been covering sports for over twenty years has come out as transgender.
Scroll on to find out more!
The world is changing, and thankfully, as a society, we are becoming more accepting and inclusive of those who identify as LGBTQ+
Now, over the last decade, there has been a huge increase in people seeking treatment at gender identity services. The majority are teens suffering from gender dysphoria.
What exactly is gender dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria involves a conflict between a person’s s*x and the gender with which he or she identifies.
People with gender dysphoria experience high levels of discomfort with their own bodies, and they often report feeling as if it isn’t their own.
This could mean they align more with being male, female, or even neither.
The number of people identifying as non-binary has been rising steadily throughout the last few years.
‘Non-binary’ is the term used by people who don’t identify as male or female.
And there are a number of high-profile celebrities that have come out as such.
Demi Lovato.
Demi came out in 2021 on Instagram saying: “I feel that this best represents the fluidity I feel in my gender expression and allows me to feel most authentic and true to the person I both know I am and still am discovering,” as per Seventeen.
Sam Smith.
“I don’t know what the title would be, but I feel just as much a woman as I am man,” they said, as per the news outlet.
Ruby Rose.
The sensational Ruby Rose announced that they were gender fluid way back in 2014: “I am very gender fluid and feel more like I wake up everyday sort of gender-neutral,” they said, as per Seventeen.
Olly Alexander.
“I feel very non-binary, and you know, I identify as gay and queer and non-binary,” they said in 2016.
Miley Cyrus.
In a 2015 interview, the celeb said that they are gender fluid: “I’m just equal. I’m just even. It has nothing to do with any parts of me or how I dress or how I look. It’s literally just how I feel,” they said.
Bob The Drag Queen.
As per PopBuzz, the star tweeted “For the record I identify as Pansexual and non-binary,” in 2019.
Indya Moore.
“I’m non-binary, femme, Agender feels fitting too. My pronouns: they/them/theirs. I correct people often. At times they ignore me & I tolerate it to avoid conflict/irritation but it’s upsetting to feel like I’m ‘too much’ in a world that takes so much from trans people constantly,” they said in a tweet that has since been deleted.
And that’s just to name a few.
Historically, people — transgender people included — are either male or female.
But recently, some are insisting that they don’t quite fit into the categories of ‘man’ or ‘woman’, or ‘male’ or ‘female’, and thus identify as ‘non-binary.’
For a long time, we’ve lived in a world with people who identify themselves as either male or female…
The idea that there are only 2 genders is sometimes called a ‘gender binary,’ because binary means ‘having 2 parts.’
But now, as things are changing, people use ‘non-binary’ to describe genders that don’t fall into one of these 2 categories, male or female.
That isn’t all, either.
On top of people identifying as ‘non-binary,’ some people have been claiming that ‘male’ and ‘female’ are not the only genders out there.
Despite our physical anatomy…
They believe that there are over a hundred genders in which a person can identify.
There’s no doubt that there’s an increasing fluidity when it comes to some people’s gender identity…
And there are countless organizations around the world that work hard together purely to support people struggling with their gender identity, including the transgender community.
Now, the most famous celebrity to have come out as transgender is without a doubt, Caitlyn Jenner.
We all know who she is!
It seems she’s helped others in the spotlight be true to themselves…
And share who they really are with the world.
As long-time ESPN reporter M.A. Voepel has recently come out as transgender, revealing he’s transitioning to male.
Voepel opened up about his decision, sharing that he wants to show up as his “authentic self” when he receives the Naismith Hall of Fame’s Gowdy Award next month.
The reporter announced in a series of tweets on Tuesday: “I’m transitioning to male.”
“Fear can keep us paralyzed for decades, especially when we think we will lose all that is dear to us, including career,” Voepel said.
“At some point, you realize you need to have faith that your happiness/well-being is worth pursuing, and also have faith in other people’s kindness and grace.
Voepel added: “Grateful for a company that supports all of its employees, for terrific family and friends, and for societal progress.
“Please feel free to call me Voepel, MV, Michael, Mike; I’m good with them all.”
“I may look and sound a little different,” he continued.
“Glad to be who I’ve always been inside. Dedication to covering women’s sports, a lifelong joy as well as job, and admiration for all involved — players, coaches, execs, fans, referees, colleagues — that stays exactly the same. Thanks!”
You can see his full tweet here.