Christian Surfer Bethany Hamilton: I Hold to My Values
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pro surfer Bethany Hamilton is sharing her opinions on the inclusion of trans women in World Surf League events.
“I’ve seen what’s going on in other sports and…I’m very much against that,” she said in an episode of Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” podcast. “I kind of hold to my values, and I stand firm with what I believe and try not…to deviate much in my life.”
Hamilton explained, “My way of approach was very much just asking questions. I didn’t even state my opinion in public. I just asked questions.”
She posted a video to Instagram earlier this year, saying, “This concerns me as a professional athlete that has been competing in the World Surf League events for the past 15 plus years, and I feel that I must speak up and stand up for those in position that may feel that they cannot say something about this.”
“Is a hormone level an honest and accurate depiction that someone indeed is a male or female?” Hamilton asked. “How did whoever decided these hormone rules come to the conclusion that 12 months of testing testosterone make it a fair and legal switch?”
The World Surf League explained that it adopted the same policy held by the International Surfing Association to be aligned with the Olympics.
“As an Olympic sport, and with aspirations for all of WSL’s disciplines to be included in the Olympics, the WSL has adopted the International Surfing Association policy on transgender participation,” a WSL spokesperson stated. “The eligibility of a surfer to compete either in a men’s or women’s event under this rule shall be subject to compliance with the ISA Transgender Policy.”
Hamilton has made the decision not to compete in any World Surf League events as a result of the new policy and has said she wants to speak up for future female athletes.
“I was like, ‘If I ever have a daughter and I don’t stand up for her and, like, somehow she’s one day competing [as a surfer]…I want her to have the opportunity to win a world title without competing against males,” she said.
Movieguide® previously reported on Hamilton’s faith:
Bethany Hamilton is sharing an important lesson about self-acceptance in a new Instagram post.
“Like many teens, I too struggled with the way I viewed my body,” she wrote. “I’d look at everyone else and think that I looked pretty different, especially because of my arm. And maybe even still to this day at times.”
She encouraged fellow mothers to “be gracious…nourish yourself and allow yourself time to heal,” adding, “Recognize that God formed your child from inside the womb and will also continue to mold and shape you into the mother you need to be for them.”
“My encouragement to you is to be grateful for what you’ve got, celebrate the gifts you have and take care of yourself so that you can care for others too!” Hamilton continued. “Life is so much more than our ‘looks’ it’s about how we love and give and how we receive right!”
She then shared a scripture that encourages her in low moments: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
“God has created us uniquely beautiful and YOU ARE LOVED!” Hamilton concluded.
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