Columnist Jamala Rogers
The sexuality of South African champion runner Caster Semenya poses challenges for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in particular and for sports associations in general. It also elevates the discussion about sexuality in societies where one is forced into being a boy or a girl, totally ignoring other possible categories.
In South Africa, the issue opens up deep wounds. While the country celebrated the runner’s record breaking victory in the 800 meters at the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, three men went on trial for the rape and murder of Eudy Simelane. Simelane was a well-known athlete and lesbian who once headed up the women’s national soccer team. She was the victim of “corrective” rape, a depraved action universally used by men to “cure” lesbians. Gay boys are usually exorcised with a Holy Book.
Semenya was raised as a girl in her small town of Ga-Masehlong. She was teased by her tom-boy looks and ways, but it didn’t seem to prevent her from pursuing her love of sports, especially running. She maintains, “I am who I am and I’m proud of myself.”
The young runner made international headlines when she won the 800 m in a record-breaking 1 minute 55.45 seconds. The victory was eclipsed by claims that she was really a male and therefore had an advantage over her female competitors. Accusations of jealousy came from family and friends; charges of racism came from the South African government. Both sectors are unified that had Caster lost the race, her sexuality would not have become an issue.
The IAAF was forced to conduct tests to determine Semenya’s sexuality. Semenya was given blood and chromosome tests as well as a gynecological examination. She was told by one of her coaches, who could not bring himself to be honest about the situation, that she was taking a drug test. It came as no surprise that the test results were leaked before Caster could be given the news directly.
The medical report disclosed that Semenya is a hermaphrodite, meaning that she has both male and female organs. The male organs are producing the large amount of testosterone responsible for Semenya’s deep voice and muscular build. Since being notified of the results, the runner has gone into seclusion, and counseling is being provided for her.
To their credit, the IAAF’s initial response is to uphold her gold medal, since her advantage was not due to doping or deliberating cheating. However, the situation does present an ethical and political challenge for the group. They will have to struggle with this to ensure the best possible outcomes for now and for the future.
The Semenya experience should open up the narrow teachings about sexuality and gender. We still have a lot to learn about the topic, but it should be made clear that shoving people into two narrow categories is unrealistic and detrimental to their health. Identities can include lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, intersexual, pansexual, transsexual, as a starting point. It is estimated that one in 45,000 children are born without an identifiable sex and most parents are coerced to make an uninformed decision shortly after birth.
We don’t know if Semenya will be forced to make a choice (which would include surgery if she is to be all-female). Someone seems to be pushing her in that direction for the sake of her career. She appeared on the cover of OK magazine, uncharacteristically in make up and a dress. I hope the counseling she is receiving has Semenya at the center of it.
Sex and sexuality are difficult issues to discuss in heterosexist societies where patriarchal ideas are taught as the norm. These sexual nuances have existed since the beginning of humankind, so it won’t be easy to change cultural, social and political thinking.
If it’s too much to figure out the difference between bi-sexual and transgendered or to fight for gender-neutral restrooms, we can start by accepting how a person chooses to self-identify. No one has the right to decide that for you.