π She played competitively in the 1950s before transitioning - but was barred from competing in the womenβs draw at the US Open.
π’ Richards sued and won the right to play in 1977.
π³οΈββ§οΈIt wasnβt until the 2004 #Olympics in Athens when trans athletes could compete in the Olympics.
But there were restrictions:
π΅ Their sex must have been officially recognised
π΅ They must have had gender reassignment surgery
π΅ And at least two years of hormone therapy after
ποΈββοΈ In 2004, golfer @MianneBagger became the first trans woman to compete in a professional tournament.
π This led to several golf tours worldwide adjusting their policies.
π‘ The Olympics rules changed in 2015.
π As long as female trans athletes' testosterone levels were below 10 nanomoles per litre for a year, they could compete.
πIn 2016, triathlete Chris Mosier was widely lauded as the first trans athlete to represent @TeamUSA internationally.
π’ Mosier had successfully campaigned for @iocmedia to remove gender reassignment surgery as a rule to compete in the Olympics.
πΊπΈ Around 1 in 200 Americans aged 65 and over are trans.
π³οΈββ§οΈ As the first generation of trans people reaches old age, healthcare systems are unprepared.
π For #TransAwarenessWeek, we spoke to trans people about growing old. π§΅
π΄ Social isolation
π΄ Housing discrimination
π΄ Lack of safe medical spaces
π΄ ...and much more.
π΅ The challenges trans elders face are often similar to those faced by trans people of all ages, but exacerbated as they get older, says Kylie Madhav, senior director at @sageusa.
π½οΈ Elizabeth Coffey was a star in the early films of cult film-maker John Waters.
π₯ While breaking ground for trans representation on screen, she faced rejection when seeking medical care.
π Later in life, hormone replacement therapy has caused issues, she told @Openly.
πΆ Let's take a look at some of this year's queer nominations. π§΅
π΅ @brandicarlile is one of the most nominated artists this year β coming in just behind @Beyonce and @kendricklamar, and being tied with @Adele on seven nominations.
πΏ For the second time, she might snap up the coveted 'Album of the Year'.
π @RandyRainbow has been nominated for his first-ever Grammy.
π§ The comedian and songwriter is up for the 'Best Comedy Album' award for 'A Little Brains, a Little Talent'.
ποΈ From the Iliad to the Odyssey, Lesbos has had a central part in Ancient Greek history.
βοΈ One of its most famous inhabitants was the 6th century B.C. poet Sappho, whose lyrical poems explored her love of women and their beauty β sometimes even venturing into the erotic.
βπΏ Black, British and queer β but often overlooked.
π¬π§ It's #BlackHistoryMonth in the UK and we're looking at those who shaped Black British queer history - and those still changing the world today.
π Here are some of the Black #LGBTQ+ pioneers you should know. π§΅
Ken "Snakehips" Johnson (1914-1941)
π· A jazz bandleader and dancer, Johnson was a leading figure in Black British music in the '30s and '40s.