Hello

[Judge]

Hi

I am not a new member here, but I am a new person... I haven't been on AIUK for a long time as there has been something else in my life which has taken a lot of precedence. This post is by way of a rehello, a hello from the new me and a thank you.

I am not sure whether I am infamous or not, but I should imagine rumours of me have spread a little around the UK. I am the transsexual judge in GWAS. I would like to thank the archers I have met since I changed my name and my gender that have been so welcoming and freindly. Not all have been that way, and my life has certainly been harder within archery than it has in any other part of my life.

However, I am looking forward to the future, which is so much happier than it ever was before I started treatment. I also look forward to being allowed to compete again, when, I do not know, noone has ever answered my question regarding that.

I hope that I will find the time to look in on AIUK a little more.

Thanks
Judge (Andrea) x

[not dead yet]

an archer is an archer.
there is no reason why you can't compete. the only issue will be record status...


welcome back......

[english_archer]

Hiya welcome back have a and a

[Thunk]

I can well imagine that your new status will be providing a fair few with a new source of mirth. And I'm not noted for passing up an opportunity - hang on, let me get my serious face out of the drawer...(sheesh, there's some dust in here...there we go...yup, it still fits - just!)

Although I know nothing about transgender issues, I can foresee a problem when competing. Are you in the Gentleman's category or the Ladies? You may have definite ideas about which you are, but even if your body has been altered by surgery I would imagine that you still have the musclature of a man and many naturally female competitors would see an unfair advantage in that. As is so often the case, it's far easier to identify the question than provide the answers (if indeed there are any).

Nevertheless welcome back Are there any clues as to who you 'used' to be?

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Thunk

I can well imagine that your new status will be providing a fair few with a new source of mirth. And I'm not noted for passing up an opportunity - hang on, let me get my serious face out of the drawer...(sheesh, there's some dust in here...there we go...yup, it still fits - just!)

Although I know nothing about transgender issues, I can foresee a problem when competing. Are you in the Gentleman's category or the Ladies? You may have definite ideas about which you are, but even if your body has been altered by surgery I would imagine that you still have the musclature of a man and many naturally female competitors would see an unfair advantage in that. As is so often the case, it's far easier to identify the question than provide the answers (if indeed there are any).

Nevertheless welcome back Are there any clues as to who you 'used' to be?

I will eventually be allowed to compete against the women, due to almost a year of hormone therapy I no longer have the muscles to shoot a mans poundage and have had to change my bow. I can now only shoot 28lbs so actually placing me at a disadvantage to most women. Of course the sport would allow me to compete against men, but the clinic would most definitely get upset as I am supposed to be serious about being a woman. There is a statement by FITA that it complies with the Stockholm Statement from the IOC, but when I have questioned GNAS I don't receive a reply. The Stockholm statement says each competitor should be treated on a case by case basis, but should be considered 2 years after their surgery, for me, my surgery will be approximately in 12 months time.

As for a clue to who I used to be... well I'm afraid that is only for those that knew me of old, my old identity is protected by legislation and to post anything on here would risk anyone in the world being able to say who i used to be.

Judge Andrea x

[Thunk]

Originally Posted by Judge

I will eventually be allowed to compete against the women, due to almost a year of hormone therapy I no longer have the muscles to shoot a mans poundage and have had to change my bow. I can now only shoot 28lbs so actually placing me at a disadvantage to most women. Of course the sport would allow me to compete against men, but the clinic would most definitely get upset as I am supposed to be serious about being a woman. There is a statement by FITA that it complies with the Stockholm Statement from the IOC, but when I have questioned GNAS I don't receive a reply. The Stockholm statement says each competitor should be treated on a case by case basis, but should be considered 2 years after their surgery, for me, my surgery will be approximately in 12 months time.

As for a clue to who I used to be... well I'm afraid that is only for those that knew me of old, my old identity is protected by legislation and to post anything on here would risk anyone in the world being able to say who i used to be.

Judge Andrea x

OK - from your original post I deduced that you had the surgery already. My bad.

I understand your reticence about your identity - when I said 'who you used to be', I meant in the context of the forum, ie screen name. But the archery community is a small one and if you are actually a judge, then you will be well known already and I think you'll find it difficult if not impossible to avoid tongues wagging wherever you go. But I'm sure you're more aware of that than anybody

[Judge]

I am indeed a judge, that's why I assume there are rumours throughout the UK. Although I am learning that there are archers who have no idea about me and can occaisionally put my foot in it. I seem to pass so well as a woman that new archers don't realise I was anyone else.

Judge Andrea x

[Trunkles]

Originally Posted by Judge

I seem to pass so well as a woman that new archers don't realise I was anyone else.

Judge Andrea x

Welcome and just be true to yourself.

[TJ Mason]

Welcome back Andrea! I remember your previous contributions well, since they gave a perspective that's often missing in our discussions - that of the judges and other tournament officials. It's great to have you around again.

[tel]

fully aware of your past and present persona - makes not a jot of difference here. Must admit to being a little taken aback initially - but without prior warning who wouldn't be? Nice to have you back on board!

[Fran C]

Congratulations Andrea, and welcome

Someone I know online (and have met once) has just undergone GRS at Charing Cross, and I've been following her story for the past couple of years. It's been an interesting insight into a world of which I knew nothing, and I've discovered that it can be a very hard road to tread. My friend has had problems with her family, but friends have in the main been supportive.

I'm sorry to read that you've had problems with people in the archery world - I can only assume that these are the sort of people with whom one wouldn't normally want to associate at all were it not for the common interest. Friends, and by this I mean the sort with a capital F, should support and help, even if they don't entirely approve or understand. Those who give you hassle aren't real friends, or they'd make the effort. I hope that you'll feel that you're among Friends here; certainly for my part (especially in the light of what I have learned from the other lady I know) I think more rather than less of you for having the courage to tell people your history.

As for competing... I'm training to be a field judge. Were I checking your equipment and score card I'd expect to see a lady, entered in the ladies' competition. Someone else has already mentioned records - my opinion (and note I'm training, not qualified) would be that you start afresh as a lady archer, and anything that has gone before in your previous persona belongs to a person who no longer exists. In the eyes of the law you are a lady, and I see no reason why archery should view things differently. Ignore the bigots: your life is none of their business, and they probably wouldn't have your courage.

I wish you all the very best.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Fran C

Congratulations Andrea, and welcome ...

... As for competing... I'm training to be a field judge. ...

I wish you all the very best.

Hi Fran

Thank you for your lovely post, it is heartening, and the majority are supportive. Just a minority have caused things to be very upsetting.

Good luck with your training. We certainly need field judges. I was almost persuaded to train to be a field as well as a target judge. My first and only time I judged at a field course under the supervision of a qualified judge there was an incident that led me to question whether I could take that responsibility. After that field judges have a great respect from me for what they do, it certainly isn't like judging a target competition with bottomless cups of tea and bacon butties galore! I hope you enjoy it, if not I'm sure you'd be welcomed to the target fields if you're not already a target judge!

Thank you

Judge Andrea x

[Robert]

Welcome on board Andrea,

My (relatively) short time in the sport has shown me that Archers are, on the whole, some of the nicest people I have known. I am sure that along the road you travel there will be some bumps and some curves but you'll find that almost always there will be archers either side of you celebrating your success and ready to steer you back on track when you falter.

Here's a for your new life which has begun, all the best for your future.

[Fran C]

Originally Posted by Judge

Hi Fran

Thank you for your lovely post, it is heartening, and the majority are supportive. Just a minority have caused things to be very upsetting.

Heck, there are always bigots who think they're above everyone else. All they do in the end is to make themselves look foolish. I'm dealing with one such (yes, in archery) at the moment. Ghastly and arrogant, all puffed up with self-importance and about as unpleasant as anyone can be. And, like all such, not worth the time of day. Once my current situation is sorted out I'll be more than happy never to encounter said person again.

Look, you are who you are. You can't help that any more than I can help who I am. People either take us that way or not at all, and it's their loss rather than ours if they're too stupid to see that. Ignore 'em. It's not like you'll be wanting invites to their tea parties, anyway...

Friendly hugs, and a standing invite to Pentref in south Wales if you ever fancy having a go at shooting field. And if you want to change your mind and have a go at judging, we'll reserve as many bacon butties and buckets of tea for you as you like