Female skateboarder Taylor Silverman has broken her silence and is now speaking out after coming in second place behind a biological man who identifies as a woman in a major skateboarding competition sponsored by Red Bull.
Silverman explained in a statement that she believes it was unfair to female athletes to be competing with males who believe they are female, citing the winner’s “clear advantage” over the rest of the female competitors.
“The trans competitor who won took $1000 in qualifiers, $3000 in finals, and $1000 in best trick. This is totaled to $5000 of the prize money meant for the female athletes,” Silverman said. “I took $1000 in qualifiers and $1750 for second place, so $2750 in total. The girl who took third received $750,” she continued, “The girl who deserved $1000 for best trick took nothing along with whoever would have placed third.”
“I deserved to place first, be acknowledged for my win, and get paid. I reached out to Redbull and was ignored. I am sick of being bullied into silence.”
Female skateboarded Taylor Silverman is speaking out after placing 2nd to a male competitor who identifies as a woman at the @Redbull Cornerstone contest.
Silverman and other female skateboarders were robbed of their achievements and prize money "that was meant for women." pic.twitter.com/jVA48itMRa
— Colin Wright (@SwipeWright) May 18, 2022
In a statement sent to Red Bull Senior Sports Marketing Manager Erich Dummer, Silverman further explained that a “biological man with a clear advantage won the women’s division, best trick, and also won multiple qualifiers.”
“This took away the opportunity that was meant for women to place and earn money. What happened was unfair and at the time I was too uncomfortable to speak up,” she added.
“I understand that in today’s society even some women think this is acceptable, but I believe in doing the right thing even if it’s not the popular thing. I now realize it’s really important for me to speak up,” Silverman said.
Similar controversy and concerns over the future of women’s sports came after biological man and women’s swimmer “Lea” Thomas won the NCAA championships in the 500-yard race against biological women in March.
Silverman’s original post is available on her Instagram.
