'I was a Girl Scout for 3 years but that’s really not the same thing'
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EUGENE, Ore. - The Lane County Concussions are gearing up for another season of men’s roller derby with a new member, A.J. “Pac’n Man” Spencer.
Spencer is the first member of the men’s roller derby team who is a transgender player.
Spencer was hoping to take part in a team sport and had been a fan of women’s roller derby for years.
“I have skated in the parks on the same kind of skates for about two years, and I love to learn to do new things on my skates, and this is just another thing I can do on my skates,” said Spencer.
Spencer decided this past summer he would reach out to the men’s team and see if they would allow him to join.
“I still had the features of a woman but the other players said they had no problems with me playing,” said Spencer.
Spencer has been going through hormone therapy for over three months and is now experiencing physical changes.
“I’m starting to have the voice change, gaining some muscle mass and getting some wimpy scruff on my face,” said Spencer.
Spencer had never played in any team sports until now but is extremely happy with the way things are going.
“I never played sports, so it feels really good to be out there with all of them because the closest experience to this is when I was a Girl Scout for 3 years but that’s really not the same thing,” said Spencer.
Along with the physical identity, Spencer is also benefiting with gender identity.
“Being close to a team like that and being physically comfortable pulling off these crazy dangerous things on wheels and at the end, win or lose, you’re sweating, you’re tired, and all the guys around you feel the same. It’s an accomplishment,” said Spencer.
The first Lane County Concussion is on March 30 at the Willamalane Center in Springfield at 2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Lane County Concussion Facebook page.
Right on! I am both excited for you, A.J., and grateful that you are willing to share your story.
Nice article. Â I am proud to call you a teammate. Â Roll on, brother. Â
This is great - being able to be yourself and enjoy what you love doing - pursue your desires - why is gender such a big deal? I don't understand why people have to be closed minded to the fact that some sectors in our society have gender identity problems and as this person has done - dealt with it in a positive manner.Â
The mental impact of ignoring what you feel inside in gender association - leads to depression - anger - lack of confidence and the list goes on - then they put on drugs that cause even more problems.Â
The old school folks need to get a grip - this is real and beyond your close minded attitude - these are real people and have allot to give back to society so open your mind - show some respect - give them a fricken break - haven't they been through enough?Â
What I have seen in the past few years: people that deal with a gender identity in a positive manner with support from those close to them are very happy - smart - productive people -Â
This is a very personal situation for these people - some compassion and support is not out of line - in fact it is needed.
The world is changing and our society must grow and change with it. Those who fight against this sort of change will find themselves very unhappy people.
Nothing is real any more in our society, as we worship and promote that which goes against the fundamental structure of nature, for no other reason than because some have convinced us that this is to be "celebrated", and that to oppose their agenda will incur a vehement spewing of hate while you are derided as a hate-filled heretic of their "tolerant" society. Â
@Jerry "They", have not convinced all of "us". "They" can call me hateful, but "they" don't know me. As I have said many times there is room in our society for peaceful intolerance. There is no room for violence, just peaceful intolerance. Nature does on occasion make a mistake, however never to the extent the last 10 or 20 years have brought on. Our society is being degraded at an accelerated rate and it will take many of us to stand our ground and not tolerate further degradation. These things tend to run their course in time, hopefully this will also.
@souptonuts @Jerry Nature does not make mistakes - people do - nature adjusts to those mistakes. Nature is a course of organic matter that adjusts to situations for survival - What is viewed now as some type of liberal agenda are way off base - missing the entire field.
Fact: gender identity has been in our society for a very very very long time. I do remember a President of the US that wore dresses in private in the early 1900's - What is happening now is our society is no longer putting these people into the "crazy" slot and trying to make them into what the narrow minded view is - they do not need drugs - treatment or counseling to change what is in their mind. They need support, respect and acceptance to be what they are naturally.
 As God made them if you will.
@colorowdy @souptonuts @Jerry I respectfully disagree. I am certain there have been a few over the years that truly had gender identity issues. There are far too many these days to say that God made them. By the way I believe that Mother nature is part of God after all God made everything. I believe that it is a lifestyle choice instead of being born that way. You nor anyone else will ever convince me differently. If you consider that view hateful so be it. I consider it peacefully intolerant. Someday we will all know the answers to all of this, that I can guarantee.
@Jerry I don't know, Jerry. It seems like change is both very real and very much a part of the "fundamental structure of nature." Your comment, although an apparent effort to comment on our culture, says far more about your own limited ability to honor changes that may not meet your approval. I have no "vehement spewing" to offer, but I wish you well in overcoming your approval problem. Or, in believing that your approval should have anything to do with the choices that another might make.
I am very happy for you, A.J. And, I am grateful that you are willing to share your story.