Renée Richards: The Trans Tennis Star of the 1970s
The Backlash Begins
Whether it’s the struggle for civil rights, women’s rights, or LGBTQ rights, no social movement proceeds in a smooth and linear fashion. There are always bumps and detours on the road to progress. It’s always two steps forward and one step back on the journey toward equality.
Today, we’re witnessing backlash against all these movements. Black people are having their history whitewashed and their ability to vote imperiled. Women can no longer make decisions about their own bodies. The LGBTQ community — especially trans folks — are being told that they’ve made too many gains so their protections are now being stripped away.
As a result of this fallout, the story of Renée Richards is more relevant and enlightening than ever. Renée was known as Richard Raskin for her first 40 years before transitioning in 1975. She became a public figure and a source of controversy when she joined the women’s professional tennis tour.
Bud Light is now being boycotted because of its partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, a trans woman and Tik Tok personality.
The trans college athlete, Lia Thomas, was excoriated for competing against female swimmers while attending the University of Pennsylvania. She became a lightning rod for criticism in 2022 when…
