In a constant uphill battle, transgender athletes must fight to simply exist in the same playing field as cisgender athletes. In recent news, transgender swimmer Lia Thomas of Pennsylvania (Penn) State University has been criticized for having a “genetic advantage” over other swimmers in her league.

The whole “genetic advantage” argument is merely an excuse for people to mask their transphobia. It’s disgusting.

The controversy has been brought to a head following a recent swimming meet in which Thomas came first, and is now a top-ranking swimmer, according to a letter from 16 of Thomas’ teammates to Penn State and Ivy League officials.

This letter details those 16 members’ upset and frustration that Thomas has been allowed to compete alongside them, though they still support her transition. However, many other teammates of Thomas have voiced support for her both in her transition and her career.

Though this issue is happening in a different part of the county, and a different league than Emporia State, ultimately what happens in Thomas’ case will have an effect on trans athletes across the country at all ages. It will set the precedent.

Just[1]  a year ago, an opinion was published in the Emporia Gazette with the stance that “it just wasn’t fair,” for transgender athletes to compete in the sport associated with their gender identity.

Between all people, there are genetic differences that may, or may not, give them advantages or disadvantages. Studies have been done on Michael Phelps, a cisgender swimmer, that show his body has a much larger wingspan than the average man, and that his body produces half as much lactic acid than most others.

We don’t claim it’s unfair when a basketball player is much taller than everyone else, but again, that is a genetic advantage.

Many people, including the Gazette opinion, believe that women have had to fight so hard to win spaces that are their own. While this is true, transgender women are not excluded from this fight. They’ve been there with women, fighting for their rights.

Transgender women are women. It’s ignorant, bigoted and exclusionary to claim otherwise.

It’s easy to take a back seat when someone is making transphobic remarks, especially if they don’t understand that their remarks are transphobic. But, as allies, it’s our duty to make sure trans voices aren’t silenced. We don’t speak for them, but rather lift them up, and help them be heard.