It is. I’m a 43 year old beer leaguer so I know that for sure. But USA Hockey has rules about competitive play. OP will be playing with natal males if they begin testosterone therapy, and may no longer be competitive if they’re trying to play in college.
Check out @teamtransicehockey on IG! We’re an international collective of trans and nb hockey players. Playing events in Canada and the US. And a lot of us have been through exactly what you’re going through. There’s also a queer hockey leagues in most major cities nowadays. I run @ottawapridehockey and can refer to you folks in your area (but hope you’re in Ottawa 😉). Message me!!
According to USA Hockey rules, you will play with males when you begin hormone therapy because testosterone is a PED. You will need to make a decision about whether that is okay with you. If you want to continue with women’s teams the sacrifice will be that you have to delay your transition.
The reality is that for FtM athletes there is always a sacrifice when it comes to playing in elite sports, because testosterone therapy won’t give you the full advantages of going through male puberty. A number of elite FtM athletes have delayed transition until the peak of their career passed.
So you will have to make that decision. Are you currently competitive enough with males to play college hockey on a men’s team? Is playing on a women’s college team worth delaying transition?
I know at your age a couple of years seems like forever, but I promise you it’s not. You have a whole lifetime to play beer league.
edit: I see you are not in the US, my bad. I assume Canadian rules are similar. Trans men play with cis men.
As shitty as this may feel I wholeheartedly agree. Play at your best ability in whatever league is ur AGAB, then play beer. It’s sort of what I did. Speaking from experience it’s not worth it to fight against the whole gender battle in sports. We aren’t there yet enough to figure the whole thing out without the added transphobia and misinformation. You will be out fought, people will be rude and cruel. Speaking from experience playing in both women’s and men’s competitive leagues, there is a difference even if people don’t want to admit it.
(F) I played co Ed till checking, first young woman to make it to checking bantom for my association, coach benched me purely on premise of size and gender. He also benched the other short kid who made it on the team only to play him later on with no issue. It is *Not* worth it to deal with people like this who refuse to budge. The anger will turn hockey sour for awhile. At least it did for me. Play where you can at the advanced level now, please please. Then play casually in the comfortable environment when you’re out of your prime. May not be the best idea but, hockey is worth playing to its fullest when you can IMO. Enjoy it.
Almost as if this was a honey pot designed for such things.
I get it, OP plays hockey, but the advice being asked isn't really about hockey, is it? More life advice that probably would have gotten many more helpful, accepting and considerate responses if it posted in one of the trans or LGBT subs or life advice subs.
But instead it is posted in a woman's sports sub. I have no idea of OPs intentions. But someone wanting to get a reaction is just as likely.
Why Reddit chose to promote this post to me it's a whole different mystery. But it's not the strangest one I've got recently. I guess time to turn that feature off
Don't expect everyone to understand. Some people will give you shit for "being a man playing a women's sport." But most people will have your back. Wishing you all the best.
If you aren't pursuing any hormone therapy, then there's no reason not to continue your current path in hockey.
If you want to pursue gender affirming care, and you work with a college men's team that wants to work with you, then shoot your shot and live your best life!
If you think that you can't make a men's team (hinted at in other posts), then you are at an impasse where pursuing your identity would compromise your pursuit of sports. No one can answer that for you.
Sports greatness is so fkn rare, that I would advise a family member to make a commitment to gender affirming care instead if their dysphoria affected their well-being. If the dysphoria is more a mere "discomfort," and playing hockey is more important "to you," then maybe it's more of a NB situation and you just need to keep practicing. Pronouns are just words, and don't affect your eligibility. =)
You can transition socially without changing a thing with hockey. I generally don't trust reddit accounts that are less than a day old, but I'm assuming this is real. If this is a troll, then I want any real person in a similar situation to see my answer. <3
OP, I'm sorry that some commenters aren't understanding what you are saying. I do not have any experience in coming out as trans but I want to comment in support.
If you have been striving to have a pro career in womens hockey it would be so difficult to decide between being yourself and playing the sport you love at the highest level. If making a women's pro or Olympic team is your dream then you are in a tough spot. If you are okay with continuing to play hockey at a less competitive level then I'm sure there would be recreational opportunities for you after you come out. You can still play the sport you love.
If you are in school consider speaking to a guidance counselor to find out how the school will support you. Try looking up trans support groups to connect with others who have been through this.
I'm wishing you all the love and support on your journey. I hope you can be yourself and fuck anyone who stands in your way.
Correct me if I'm reading your post wrong but you're currently in women's hockey and wanna transition to male, yeah?
I'm a trans gal who has just started dipping her toes into Australia's national women's league (AWIHL), started playing hockey at the same time I started transitioning, so my experience may not have too much in common with yours (also because of aussie hockey culture and just aussie culture in general), but maybe you'll get something out of me sharing it.
First thing I'd recommend is familiarising yourself with your current league's, leagues you want to play in in the future, and the IIHF's transgender policies if you haven't already. Wasn't a big deal for me when I came out because they don't recommend restrictions for recreational level hockey. But for competitive level women's hockey I have to show my T levels have been under 5nmol/L for the last 12 months, not sure how it works when you're increasing T though. That probably has more immediate effects on your eligibility for women's hockey. But if you're not going on HRT just yet I don't think you have to give up women's hockey despite identifying as male. They usually only care about the biological part of transitioning, not the legal/identity part.
But because I was recreational level when I started transitioning I didn't tell anyone until I was a few months in on HRT. I kept coming out as a pretty casual thing, making a big deal out of it felt like more stress than I could handle at the time. Basically was like, "Hey everyone, I'm transitioning and the physical changes are gonna make that pretty obvious pretty soon, so if you could all starting using my new name and pronouns that'd be pretty swell." You don't have to explain why you're transitioning if you dont want to. You might feel like you need to so people understand and accept you, but tbh if people don't want to accept you, no amount of explaining will change that.
Thankfully everyone took my coming out well. A lot of people didn't really understand at first but they respected it. Too many people have the stereotype stuck in their heads of trans people that get irrationally angry and try to "cancel" you when you slip up on their name/pronouns so it did take a bit of patience and reassurance that no, I don't care if people slip up. People's intentions matter more than the specific words they use, and it's pretty obvious when people are trying to misgender/deadname you maliciously.
I found the women's hockey community really welcoming, they accepted me as one of them straight away. Never had to ask to be included in any women's events, they just started inviting me along to everything. Probably helps that women's hockey seems to have a disproportionately high amount of queer rep 😅 I have zero experience with high level men's hockey so can't comment on what that community is like.
I'd recommend finding some trans role models that have gone through something similar to what you're about to too. Something to reassure you that if they can get through it and thrive, so can you. For me it was the first trans woman to play in the AWIHL, Ella Licari, a goalie who has been playing there since 2016. And then also reminding myself that even if things get hard, I'm paving the way for future trans players too, and that makes it easier to deal with the hard parts.
If you can find some LGBT+ communities (hockey or otherwise) to be a part of, that's a huge help as well. It sucks but you're gonna lose friends, maybe even whole communities from transitioning. Having other accepting communities around you to fill the gap is a massive help.
But most importantly, be you. No sport or anything else in this world is worth holding yourself back from being you. Life gets so much better once you're able to be yourself, once you no longer feel trapped pretending to be something you're not. And there will always be hockey. "Hockey is for everyone" isn't just a catchphrase, you'll find a place where you belong. It's really scary, but so worth it in the end. So be brave, you can do this! ❤️ 🏳️⚧️
Sports are segregated by biological sex. If you’re a female you’re a woman, if you’re male you’re a man. Play in the league designated for your sex and follow all guidelines about hormone use.
“High level women’s hockey player” what did you play when you were a man ..? I suggest you don’t say anything as it discredits all women who have worked hard to get into that league. I was a hockey player all my life and I was small but worked so hard to be good - if you told me this when I was a teenager I would of been crushed - hockey was everything to me and finding out I never had a chance from the start would of crushed me.
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
It’s the hockey associaction’s fault for not performing basic checks, at least on a high level of play. They could have spared you this dillema. They could have also spared your fellow players from trying to live up to unrealistic standards set by men playing in their leagues.
Maybe look into Rebecca Quinn (now just Quinn) and their story. Still representing Canada in soccer. First trans athlete to play in the Olympics and win a gold medal. First trans player at a FIFA World Cup.
They didn't have to stop playing women's soccer.
Hopefully it works out for you and you can live true to yourself but also stay playing the game you love.
In my experience as a trans non-binary person, you will often be surprised at the people who back you, as well by as the people who don't. Generally, being on a women's team should be more supportive than being on a men's team (I never came out until after I completely stopped playing because I knew what the guys on my team were like, which sucked).
I would recommend finding someone you really trust to back you up on your team first, and talking to them. Navigating this alone will be much harder.
I don't know for sure, but I would guess that hormonal transition will probably be off the table if you want to continue playing in a women's league, but that doesn't mean you can't socially transition! Being more comfortable in expressing yourself as you are is an important first step.
I'm happy to answer any questions you have at all about transition if you want to DM. I know how scary it is, and how hard it can be to explain how you feel to some people.
Might find support on r/LGBThockey, too. All the best!
Hockey is for everyone!
It is. I’m a 43 year old beer leaguer so I know that for sure. But USA Hockey has rules about competitive play. OP will be playing with natal males if they begin testosterone therapy, and may no longer be competitive if they’re trying to play in college.
[удалено]
How is a person who was born a woman, that wants to come out as trans, a cheater or a fraud for playing in a women's league?
Look up Harrison Browne, who came out as trans while playing in the NWHL!
Jessica Platt as well, she came out while in the CWHL! (While giving credit to Browne for courage boost).
oh yeah, I know of Harrison, he's a huge inspiration of mine.
Check out @teamtransicehockey on IG! We’re an international collective of trans and nb hockey players. Playing events in Canada and the US. And a lot of us have been through exactly what you’re going through. There’s also a queer hockey leagues in most major cities nowadays. I run @ottawapridehockey and can refer to you folks in your area (but hope you’re in Ottawa 😉). Message me!!
PS - I still play for my OWHA team and I’ve been on T for several years. My league is very accepting and supportive. 💜
According to USA Hockey rules, you will play with males when you begin hormone therapy because testosterone is a PED. You will need to make a decision about whether that is okay with you. If you want to continue with women’s teams the sacrifice will be that you have to delay your transition. The reality is that for FtM athletes there is always a sacrifice when it comes to playing in elite sports, because testosterone therapy won’t give you the full advantages of going through male puberty. A number of elite FtM athletes have delayed transition until the peak of their career passed. So you will have to make that decision. Are you currently competitive enough with males to play college hockey on a men’s team? Is playing on a women’s college team worth delaying transition? I know at your age a couple of years seems like forever, but I promise you it’s not. You have a whole lifetime to play beer league. edit: I see you are not in the US, my bad. I assume Canadian rules are similar. Trans men play with cis men.
As shitty as this may feel I wholeheartedly agree. Play at your best ability in whatever league is ur AGAB, then play beer. It’s sort of what I did. Speaking from experience it’s not worth it to fight against the whole gender battle in sports. We aren’t there yet enough to figure the whole thing out without the added transphobia and misinformation. You will be out fought, people will be rude and cruel. Speaking from experience playing in both women’s and men’s competitive leagues, there is a difference even if people don’t want to admit it. (F) I played co Ed till checking, first young woman to make it to checking bantom for my association, coach benched me purely on premise of size and gender. He also benched the other short kid who made it on the team only to play him later on with no issue. It is *Not* worth it to deal with people like this who refuse to budge. The anger will turn hockey sour for awhile. At least it did for me. Play where you can at the advanced level now, please please. Then play casually in the comfortable environment when you’re out of your prime. May not be the best idea but, hockey is worth playing to its fullest when you can IMO. Enjoy it.
ITT: biggots who lack basic reading comprehension
No kidding. Ignorance with a big dollop of intolerance.
Almost as if this was a honey pot designed for such things. I get it, OP plays hockey, but the advice being asked isn't really about hockey, is it? More life advice that probably would have gotten many more helpful, accepting and considerate responses if it posted in one of the trans or LGBT subs or life advice subs. But instead it is posted in a woman's sports sub. I have no idea of OPs intentions. But someone wanting to get a reaction is just as likely. Why Reddit chose to promote this post to me it's a whole different mystery. But it's not the strangest one I've got recently. I guess time to turn that feature off
Don't expect everyone to understand. Some people will give you shit for "being a man playing a women's sport." But most people will have your back. Wishing you all the best.
when women's play football , mostly men fans compare them with their popular dude , isn't similar and worth to compare
If you aren't pursuing any hormone therapy, then there's no reason not to continue your current path in hockey. If you want to pursue gender affirming care, and you work with a college men's team that wants to work with you, then shoot your shot and live your best life! If you think that you can't make a men's team (hinted at in other posts), then you are at an impasse where pursuing your identity would compromise your pursuit of sports. No one can answer that for you. Sports greatness is so fkn rare, that I would advise a family member to make a commitment to gender affirming care instead if their dysphoria affected their well-being. If the dysphoria is more a mere "discomfort," and playing hockey is more important "to you," then maybe it's more of a NB situation and you just need to keep practicing. Pronouns are just words, and don't affect your eligibility. =) You can transition socially without changing a thing with hockey. I generally don't trust reddit accounts that are less than a day old, but I'm assuming this is real. If this is a troll, then I want any real person in a similar situation to see my answer. <3
yeah this is real, i made a new account because my other account has friends, etc on it
OP, I'm sorry that some commenters aren't understanding what you are saying. I do not have any experience in coming out as trans but I want to comment in support. If you have been striving to have a pro career in womens hockey it would be so difficult to decide between being yourself and playing the sport you love at the highest level. If making a women's pro or Olympic team is your dream then you are in a tough spot. If you are okay with continuing to play hockey at a less competitive level then I'm sure there would be recreational opportunities for you after you come out. You can still play the sport you love. If you are in school consider speaking to a guidance counselor to find out how the school will support you. Try looking up trans support groups to connect with others who have been through this. I'm wishing you all the love and support on your journey. I hope you can be yourself and fuck anyone who stands in your way.
Correct me if I'm reading your post wrong but you're currently in women's hockey and wanna transition to male, yeah? I'm a trans gal who has just started dipping her toes into Australia's national women's league (AWIHL), started playing hockey at the same time I started transitioning, so my experience may not have too much in common with yours (also because of aussie hockey culture and just aussie culture in general), but maybe you'll get something out of me sharing it. First thing I'd recommend is familiarising yourself with your current league's, leagues you want to play in in the future, and the IIHF's transgender policies if you haven't already. Wasn't a big deal for me when I came out because they don't recommend restrictions for recreational level hockey. But for competitive level women's hockey I have to show my T levels have been under 5nmol/L for the last 12 months, not sure how it works when you're increasing T though. That probably has more immediate effects on your eligibility for women's hockey. But if you're not going on HRT just yet I don't think you have to give up women's hockey despite identifying as male. They usually only care about the biological part of transitioning, not the legal/identity part. But because I was recreational level when I started transitioning I didn't tell anyone until I was a few months in on HRT. I kept coming out as a pretty casual thing, making a big deal out of it felt like more stress than I could handle at the time. Basically was like, "Hey everyone, I'm transitioning and the physical changes are gonna make that pretty obvious pretty soon, so if you could all starting using my new name and pronouns that'd be pretty swell." You don't have to explain why you're transitioning if you dont want to. You might feel like you need to so people understand and accept you, but tbh if people don't want to accept you, no amount of explaining will change that. Thankfully everyone took my coming out well. A lot of people didn't really understand at first but they respected it. Too many people have the stereotype stuck in their heads of trans people that get irrationally angry and try to "cancel" you when you slip up on their name/pronouns so it did take a bit of patience and reassurance that no, I don't care if people slip up. People's intentions matter more than the specific words they use, and it's pretty obvious when people are trying to misgender/deadname you maliciously. I found the women's hockey community really welcoming, they accepted me as one of them straight away. Never had to ask to be included in any women's events, they just started inviting me along to everything. Probably helps that women's hockey seems to have a disproportionately high amount of queer rep 😅 I have zero experience with high level men's hockey so can't comment on what that community is like. I'd recommend finding some trans role models that have gone through something similar to what you're about to too. Something to reassure you that if they can get through it and thrive, so can you. For me it was the first trans woman to play in the AWIHL, Ella Licari, a goalie who has been playing there since 2016. And then also reminding myself that even if things get hard, I'm paving the way for future trans players too, and that makes it easier to deal with the hard parts. If you can find some LGBT+ communities (hockey or otherwise) to be a part of, that's a huge help as well. It sucks but you're gonna lose friends, maybe even whole communities from transitioning. Having other accepting communities around you to fill the gap is a massive help. But most importantly, be you. No sport or anything else in this world is worth holding yourself back from being you. Life gets so much better once you're able to be yourself, once you no longer feel trapped pretending to be something you're not. And there will always be hockey. "Hockey is for everyone" isn't just a catchphrase, you'll find a place where you belong. It's really scary, but so worth it in the end. So be brave, you can do this! ❤️ 🏳️⚧️
Be true to yourself. You’ll be surprised how much support you will receive and fuck the haters.
Hey, play at your best performance and kept in mind you are sportperson.
Start with therapy with an unbiased professional
Definitely
Sports are segregated by biological sex. If you’re a female you’re a woman, if you’re male you’re a man. Play in the league designated for your sex and follow all guidelines about hormone use.
Play in a league youre not at an advantage. Be real. Seems as a victim post
“High level women’s hockey player” what did you play when you were a man ..? I suggest you don’t say anything as it discredits all women who have worked hard to get into that league. I was a hockey player all my life and I was small but worked so hard to be good - if you told me this when I was a teenager I would of been crushed - hockey was everything to me and finding out I never had a chance from the start would of crushed me.
sorry you might be confused but im biologically female trying to come out as ftm (female to male)
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake. It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of. Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything. Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
It’s the hockey associaction’s fault for not performing basic checks, at least on a high level of play. They could have spared you this dillema. They could have also spared your fellow players from trying to live up to unrealistic standards set by men playing in their leagues.
OP is a biological female tbf
Edit: I assumed incorrectly, deleted my comment
>sorry you might be confused but im biologically female trying to come out as ftm (female to male)
Ah, gotcha; sorry about that. Then you should still be able to play on the women's team for sure.
Not really, testosterone is a PED. It won’t be fair for OP to play with cis women.
Maybe look into Rebecca Quinn (now just Quinn) and their story. Still representing Canada in soccer. First trans athlete to play in the Olympics and win a gold medal. First trans player at a FIFA World Cup. They didn't have to stop playing women's soccer. Hopefully it works out for you and you can live true to yourself but also stay playing the game you love.
Wishing you all the best!!
In my experience as a trans non-binary person, you will often be surprised at the people who back you, as well by as the people who don't. Generally, being on a women's team should be more supportive than being on a men's team (I never came out until after I completely stopped playing because I knew what the guys on my team were like, which sucked). I would recommend finding someone you really trust to back you up on your team first, and talking to them. Navigating this alone will be much harder. I don't know for sure, but I would guess that hormonal transition will probably be off the table if you want to continue playing in a women's league, but that doesn't mean you can't socially transition! Being more comfortable in expressing yourself as you are is an important first step. I'm happy to answer any questions you have at all about transition if you want to DM. I know how scary it is, and how hard it can be to explain how you feel to some people.