San Diego Gay and Lesbian News has published a great profile on wrestler Donna Rose:Two weeks ago, in an unassuming gym in Cleveland, Ohio, Donna Rosen broke a barrier when she stepped onto the mat at the U.S. Open Women’s Freestyle Wrestling Championship.
She made history not because she was a cancer survivor, or because she was 51 years old, or even because 30 years had passed since her last competitive wrestling match at the 1970 Canadian Olympic Trials.
No, Rosen made history that day because a little over 10 years ago, she completed the transition from a male to a female. On Friday, April 23rd, Donna Rosen (who goes by 'Donna Rose' but is still legally registered as Rosen) became the first transsexual woman to compete in a mainstream, nationally sanctioned wrestling event.
It was a moment that broke a barrier. A moment filled with the emotion of a life come full circle. It was a moment that was to be the payoff of an incredible investment of money, determination and sweat. It was a moment dreamt about for years, and in the hours before it was to finally become real, because word had gotten out about who Rosen used to be, it was a moment that almost never happened.
Continue reading HERE.
It was an honor to compete in this tournament. Everyone handled the 'situation' with professionalism, respect, and class.
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