Sims: Community, Identity, and Sanctuary

Dear Members of the Keene City Council and PLD,

I am writing as a woman, an athlete, and a gymnastics coach for girls and women in Keene, New Hampshire, as well as a signatory to the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights (the Declaration). The Declaration was authored by Women’s Declaration International, a global radical feminist organization dedicated to opposing the erosion of women’s sex-based rights caused by incorporation of gender identity ideology in law and policy. I volunteer with its US chapter. I’m writing to share my perspective on the proposed declaration establishing Keene as a “sanctuary city” for the “LGBTQIA+ community.” [Related: Opinion: Prevent Keene From Being Designated a “Sanctuary City!!”]

I deeply value fairness and respect for all individuals, and I believe our community thrives when everyone is treated equitably. But I respectfully suggest that “LGBTQIA+” is not a coherent community, and that protecting it does not promote fairness and respect for women and girls, including lesbians, because gender identity ideology undermines and erases sexual orientation (i.e., same-sex attraction) as well as sex itself. Lesbian groups, for instance, should have the right to meet publicly and exclude anyone who is not a lesbian, including men who claim a lesbian “identity.” Women’s groups should likewise have the right to exclude all men, regardless of their claims to be women.

I also want to share concerns that some women and girls in our community have expressed, particularly regarding fairness in sports and the safety of private spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms. Article 7 of the Declaration reaffirms women’s rights to the same opportunities as me to participate actively in sports. As a coach and athlete, I’ve seen how important it is for women and girls to have equal opportunities in athletics, as protected by Title IX for over five decades. But some women and girls have had their awards, scholarships, and podium placements stolen through policies that allow men to compete in women’s sports. This is unsporting, and has led to a loss of safety, dignity, and fairness for female athletes who have worked hard to succeed, in violation of Title IX and in violation of the entire line of Supreme Court cases that protect women on the basis of our sex (meaning reproductive biology).

Additionally, I’d like to share a personal experience at the Keene YMCA. After exiting the shower in the women’s locker room, I encountered a man undressing in the same space. Seeking safety and privacy, I quickly moved to a private changing area. When I inquired at the front desk, I was informed that the YMCA has a community locker room for individuals who identify outside traditional gender categories, but it was unclear why that space wasn’t required to be used in this instance. Article 8 of the Declaration reaffirms the need for the elimination of violence against women. This experience raised concerns for me about the safety, privacy, and dignity of women in female-designated spaces, particularly for those who may have experienced rape or sexual assault by men previously. Indecent exposure and voyeurism cannot be promoted in the name of “inclusion” without effectively excluding women and girls from public spaces.

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I urge the council to consider policies that protect the rights and safety of women and girls. This is the best way to promote fairness and unity in Keene. Surely we can find solutions that are based in reality without compromising the hard-earned rights of women and girls, including lesbians.

Thank you for considering my perspective. I’m grateful for your commitment to serving our community and welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.

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