Trans Cyclist Deactivates Social Media After 'Targeted Abuse' Following Women's Race Ban
Emily Bridges Trans Cyclist Deactivates Social Media ... After 'Targeted Abuse'
A British transgender cyclist says she had to deactivate her social media to stop the "targeted abuse" following her disqualification from a women's championship race.
As we previously reported, Emily Bridges was banned two days before the April 2 women's championship race in the UK by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) ... because she's registered as a male cyclist.
Ever since, the 21-year-old says her "privacy has been totally violated" to the point where she had to shut down her social media to avoid mistreatment.
"I've had to deactivate my social media to prevent the targeted abuse I am receiving," Bridges said in a statement, "and block websites to stop seeing them."
Bridges calls out the British media for harassing her as well -- saying reporters have been at her home pressuring her for a story.
"I've had journalists at my front door every day harassing us for comment and story, my privacy has been totally violated over speculation around my eligibility and fairness to compete."
"They attack anything that isn't the norm and print whatever is most likely to result in the highest engagement for their articles."
But Bridges -- who was in contact with the UCI about her status six months before the disqualification -- says she will continue to dispute her ineligibility with the org.
"I am an athlete," Bridges said, "and I just want to race competitively again, within the Regulations set by British Cycling and UCI after careful consideration of the research around transgender athletes."
Bridges previously raced in the male competition -- setting a national junior's record over 25 miles in 2018 before starting hormone therapy last year.
