Olympian Nikki Hiltz is a role model,When it comes to supporting transgender and nonbinary youth.

Nikki Hiltz

I’m not sure how I would have responded if I had turned on the television in the 1990s as a youngster to see Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz represent Team USA.

I am aware, though, that I would have been captivated to the TV. Hiltz is competing in their first-ever Olympics this summer. They have already competed in some of the most televised races in the world, which are clearly divided into “men’s” and “women’s” categories. They boldly and openly identify as transgender and nonbinary athletes.

Being nonbinary myself, I am thrilled to watch Hiltz compete as one of the top runners in the world and to witness them be completely true to who they are. I am also aware of the significance Hiltz’s presence in Paris has for young LGBTQ+ persons, especially those who identify as transgender or nonbinary.

This generation of youth is currently subjected to an almost continual assault of politically motivated disinformation and insulting discourse that casts doubt on their basic identities throughout the United States.

The advocacy team at The Trevor Project has monitored the enactment of over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ measures in state legislatures as of 2024, with the majority of these bills aimed against transgender and nonbinary people. The mental health of young LGBTQ+ individuals is negatively impacted by these bills and the derogatory discourse that surrounds them.

Nearly two out of every five LGBTQ+ youth reported that they or their families had contemplated moving to a new state due to anti-LGBTQ+ policies. An overwhelming 90% of LGBTQ+ youth reported that recent politics had a negative impact on their mental health in the last year. I moved my family from Texas three years ago, and a big part of my choice was the anti-LGBTQ+ regulations that put my family’s safety in danger.

Nikki Hiltz’s influence is amplified in this situation, both on and off the track. According to research by The Trevor Project, a resounding majority of LGBTQ+ youth (67%) reported feeling positive about their own identities when they witnessed athletes come out as LGBTQ+. Hiltz is a model of possibilities. They have demonstrated to young people all around the world that you can succeed in your preferred sport and do it while firmly and proudly adhering to your own truth.

Olympic medals for 2024:

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This is important, particularly when it comes to Olympic competitors. With over 150 out LGBTQ+ competitors registered from around the globe, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are expected to set a record for queer representation.

Much of the conversation in the US over transgender and nonbinary people’s involvement in sports has become dangerously politicized. According to The Trevor Project, 67 state-wide transgender sports bans have been proposed this year alone, and three of them have become legislation to bar transgender and nonbinary youth from participating in sports. But rather than being grounded in reality, these prohibitions stem from false information and stereotypes.

Like any Olympian, Hiltz should be able to enjoy their accomplishments and concentrate on getting ready for the upcoming games, but it is regrettably not surprising that they have faced some criticism just for being transgender and nonbinary. Strong and well-organized disinformation campaigns have long been promoted by anti-LGBTQ+ special interest groups in an effort to marginalize our community.

The majority of people claim not to directly know anyone who identifies as transgender or nonbinary, which is the foundation for this false information. In the United States, fewer than one in three adults claim to know a transgender person, and only one in six claim to know a nonbinary person.

Olympic fans everywhere now have the chance to give a face to a population that has been wrongfully dehumanized for far too long, all thanks to Hiltz. It’s reasonable that a lot of people have sincere inquiries or misconceptions around what it means to be transgender or nonbinary.

I urge those people to start with Nikki Hiltz’s account in order to help dispel prejudices and politically motivated false information. Learn about us as Nikki. Learn about us as the Jaymes. Learn about us as people, not as a single, unchanging organization you only see reported in the headlines.

 

For my family and me, watching the Olympics has become a tradition. As a family, we have been watching since my boys were approximately 6 years old. We’re going to break from our usual dinner table routine and eat in front of the TV in the living room to support Nikki and the historic amount of LGBTQ+ athletes competing in Paris, just like we did during the trials.

I hope Hiltz’s Olympic journey fulfills all of their dreams. They have a huge impact both on and off the track. Hiltz has already improved and given hope to the globe for transgender and nonbinary persons everywhere, even before they start their first race.