Justine Simone Lindsay, the NFL’s first transgender cheerleader, is making some bold claims and alleging the Carolina Panthers fired her due to transphobia and following Donald Trump becoming president and moving forward with his attack on the trans community.
In March 2022, Justine Lindsay first made headlines as she shook her pom-poms and showed off her dance moves as the first transgender cheerleader in the NFL (National Football League). Lindsay cheered with the North Carolina Panthers TopCats as the team and league’s first transgender woman.
As Lindsay broke out onto the field it caused an uproar with both positive and equally critical reactions. Especially as the idea of transgender women competing in women’s sports — including college, the pros, and the Olympics — has been a trending topic. People have raised reasonable questions about fair competition and medical transition requirements, etc.
RELATED: Donald Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Transgender Athletes From Participating In Women’s Sports
Despite the big commotion on the field, Lindsay’s gender identity hasn’t always been a secret. Additionally, in Lindsay’s case, she’s earned a spot on the field as she cheered for what she believed was a non-gendered, non-competitive cheerleading team.
Lindsay cheered for the Panthers for three seasons before officials cut her from the team. According to Fox News, she departed the team in August. Furthermore, according to Lindsay, officials fired her because she’s transgender.
NFL’s First Transgender Cheerleader Justine Lindsay Slams Carolina Panthers For Allegedly Firing Her Due To Transphobia And Donald Trump’s Attack On Trans Community
While speaking with Gaye Magazine during an Instagram Live on November 14 — during Transgender Awareness Week (November 13 – November 19) — Lindsay declared, “I was cut because I’m trans. I don’t wanna hear nobody saying ‘She didn’t wanna come back.’ Why the hell would I not wanna come back to an organization that I’ve been a part of for three years?”
She continued to disclaim that she has no ill will toward the Panthers or any of its officials. However, she declared they also weren’t taking into consideration the bigger picture. She said, “I love them down. I appreciate everything that they’ve done for me, but I feel like I was done wrong.”
Despite Lindsay continuing to disclaim that her statements did not equate to her throwing shade toward her former cheer team, she proceeded to call them out. She admitted, “It was like a big slap in the face to not only me but for the youth. And this was right after Trump became president.”
During the first month of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order affecting the transgender community. The order prohibits schools and colleges, that specifically receive federal funding and are subject to Title IX, from allowing men to play in women’s sports and use women’s locker rooms and restrooms. If an educational institution and athletic associations disobey, they could face investigations and loss of federal funding.
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