A video of a high school sporting event is causing controversy online among critics who say a transgender athlete had an unfair advantage. The clip in question shows Aayden Gallagher, a sophomore at McDaniel High School in Sherwood, Oregon, completing the race in an impressive time. Still, some say it’s not fair to biological females whose bodies are not as fast.
The clip, originally posted on X by @ReduxxMag, was taken down but reposted by @libsoftiktok, who called Gallagher a “cheater.” Many in the comment section agreed and called for a change to make the playing field more even for all athletes.
More from CafeMom: Nonbinary 16-Year-Old Who Died After Beating in School Bathroom Sent Devastating Texts
Gallagher is faster than many female competitors.
The video shows Gallagher crossing the finish line for the 200-meter race in 25.49 seconds. Many of the other athletes seen in the video don’t complete the race until around the 31-second mark, according to the New York Post. Per results posted on athletic.net for the Sherwood Need For Speed Classic, Gallagher placed second in the women’s varsity 200-meter race behind Aster Jones, who narrowly beat her at 24.43 seconds.
The school reportedly supports its students and their gender identities.
Per posted policy, the Oregon School Activities Association “endeavors to allow students to participate in the athletic or activity program of their consistently asserted gender identity while providing a fair and safe environment for all students.”
Once a transgender student notifies the school of their gender identity, “the student shall be consistently treated as that gender for purposes of eligibility for athletics and activities, provided that if the student has tried out or participated in an activity, the student may not participate during that same season on a team of the other gender.”
Gallagher may not have fared as well in the boys’ race.
According to The Gateway Pundit, the results would have been much different if Gallagher had competed in the boys’ events. Her time in the 200-meter race would have placed her at 61 in the boys’ race. And in the 400-meter race, with a finishing time of 55.61 seconds, she would have taken 57th place.
More from CafeMom: Lawyer on TikTok Proves Church Is More Harmful to Kids Than Trans People & Drag Queens
Many think Gallagher has an unfair advantage.
Runner Carilyn Johnson, aka @carilynjohnson, posted her disappointment on X. “At some point, we have to all be willing to see this for what it is. Please stop pretending like this is anything other than telling young female athletes they don’t matter," she wrote.
A supporter replied, “Actually, the young female athletes do matter. They play the part of the vanquished so the man can play the part of victor.”
X user @LetOregonLearn wants an entirely new sports category.
“We must demand a 3rd category in high school competitions, or races must be by biological gender. Anything else is a making a mockery of female athletics. We must not allow a boy to take a girl’s place as a participant in a state meet-and that is EXACTLY what is going to happen,” the person tweeted.
Gallagher reportedly wants to continue transitioning.
Gallagher spoke about her desire to undergo hormone therapy, according to an interview with her school newspaper as a freshman.
“I feel like it’ll make me a lot more confident,” Gallagher said. “Because right now I’m just going to keep on getting more and more masculine. More facial hair, stuff like that. And I don’t want that. Estrogen and other hormones and getting vocal training would make me a lot happier and more confident.”
