Chris Mosier is an incredible athlete. A three-time Ironman competitor, he qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championships in 2014. In 2015 he joined the Men’s US National duathlon team, and he was the first athlete to do so as an openly transgender man.

Growing up Mosier had trouble finding his place in the sports world.  “I felt like I was stuck in this in-between space,” he said. Mosier felt extremely uncomfortable competing against females, and even after he transitioned various rules and policies didn’t allow him to compete with men, but thankfully that’s changing. Recently the Olympic Committee made the decision to allow transgender athletes to compete at the Olympics with other athletes of their gender without sex reassignment surgery.

“I’m really excited about the policy change,” Mosier said. “I think it’s a huge opportunity, particularly for young people. If they are ever considering a transition, it won’t be a question of whether or not they can play. It’s a door that’s now open.”

Although Mosier’s event – the duathlon – is not part of the Olympics, the Olympic Committee tends to set the standard from which everything trickles down. Though this decision was a huge victory for trans athletes, there is more work to be done. Mosier is dedicated to continuing to do the work that improves inclusion and participation of trans people in sports, and as an athlete he strives to be an example for future generations.

“I feel this sort of balance between a need and a want to be so publicly out as a trans athlete and to share my story and to be that person that I needed when I was younger so that young people can see a reflection of themselves.”

Many young trans people stop playing sports because the barriers in place are too great. Between dealing with coaches and teammates, locker rooms, away games and spectators, trans student athletes face many challenges.

Mosier said it’s a shame that gender non-conforming people are pushed out of the experience of playing sports because they don’t feel accepted. His goal is to be as active and visible as possible to break down these barriers and encourage young people to stay in sports.

In fact, Mosier was willing to go to court to fight the Olympic policy (now changed) against trans athletes competing in their gender category without reconstructive genital surgery. A Go Fund Me campaign was started to raise the legal fees to fight and change the policy. Now that this particular fight is not necessary, the Go Fund Me campaign is a means for Mosier to get to Spain to compete in the duathlon World Championships this summer.

Mosier’s SXSW panel, Trans Athletes: The New Frontier of Sports, will feature a conversation about trans inclusion in sports and how to make things better for trans people. Mosier’s hope for the panel is to share the lived experience of an athlete that has transitioned and has been able to continue to compete and excel in sports as a trans athlete.

“When people have a name and a face they can associate with a topic, that makes it more human for them. A lot of people would say they’ve never interacted with a trans person. Most people don’t know any transgender folks who play sports. I think hearing some of the issues and also learning about some of the ways to make athletics a more inclusive place for trans people is definitely going to come up.”

When and Where:
Saturday, March 12
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Four Seasons – 98 San Jacinto Blvd / Ballroom CD

Find out more: Trans Athletes: The New Frontier of Sports