Men in Women’s Olympic Boxing: What Happened??

August 12, 2024

This being the year 2024, it was only natural that the summer Olympic Games would open with controversy. 

The only part of the July 26 opening ceremony I paid attention to was Celine Dion singing on the Eiffel Tower (which everyone should watch if you need a break from these troubled times and just want to watch something thoroughly enjoyable). Beyond that, my understanding is that the opening ceremony mostly featured drag queens either parodying Leonardo DaVinci’s “The Last Supper” or depicting Jan Harmensz van Biljert's "The Feast of the Gods” —you decide.

As the Associated Press would have it: 

In an unprecedented display of inclusivity, drag queens took center stage at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, showcasing the vibrant and influential role of the French LGBTQ+ community — while also attracting criticism over a tableau reminiscent of “The Last Supper.”

Held along the Seine River, the spectacular four-hour event featured global stars such as Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, both considered queer icons. The ceremony blended historic and modern French culture with a touch of kitsch, culminating in a flotilla of barges carrying thousands of Olympians.

I don’t know what makes Celine Dion and Lady Gaga “queer icons.” Celine Dion has only been married once, to a man, and I have never seen any indication that she is a lesbian or bisexual. She has donated generously to HIV prevention and is a staunch advocate for lesbian and gay rights, both of which are great, but I’m not sure it makes her a “queer icon.” Lady Gaga has been open about her bisexuality, but has also said that she isn’t particularly interested in discussing her sex life or using it to advance her career (she said it more colorfully). I do know that most of the lesbians and gay men I know personally detest the word “queer” and consider it a homophobic slur.

In any event, I’m here to talk about the International Olympic Committee (IOC) promoting the idea that it’s fine to allow men to punch women in the head on international TV, for sport and entertainment, all while gaslighting the world about whether it’s possible to know what sex a person is.

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