It is no secret that women bodybuilders face unfair criticism. What is verbalized and the conduct from other people is inappropriate. Free speech should be valued, but that does not mean responsibility for one’s actions disappears. Those who see women bodybuilders make unwanted commentary or at worse insults. Marcie Simmons discusses this problem, which amounts to verbal abuse. A combination of inappropriate conduct and speech is directed at women with muscular bodies. The conversations go to anti-trans sentiments, sexual harassment, and rude behavior. Much of the unwanted expressions of opinion come from ignorance. Those willing to learn about different people can be excused. The more extreme are projecting a degree misogyny.
Marcie was first asked about her sex. One man asked if she was a man or woman. The assumption is based on a transphobic sentiment. Women with muscles must be trans, because they do not look like normal females. Another question relates to performance enhancing drugs. Muscular women are assumed to be taking some form of steroids. The sexist assertion is that women cannot attain athleticism with some form of pharmaceutical aids. The claim shows a profound ignorance about sports science and exercise.
Marcie Simmons was asked by a number of men about her sex. These men had difficulty believing she was a cisgender woman. These incidents are common for some women bodybuilders. The stereotypical image of a transwoman combined with sexism causes these responses. Asking a person about their gender or sex is nobody’s business. Anti-trans hysteria has built up since the 2010s and has gotten worse with the anti-trans legislation of the present.
It has gotten so bad, that cisgender women are effected. Women who are not trans, but are accused being so are subject to sexist ridicule. Marcie Simmons does not mention this directly, yet this is the case. If a woman does not fit a narrow paradigm, they are deemed abnormal or freakish. The anti-trans verbalization mostly comes from men.
Women also express churlish opinions at women bodybuilders. Men are not the sole culprits. Marcie explains that some women respect her athleticism, yet object to the aesthetic. The phrases used are “I don’t want to look like that” or ” I don’t like big muscles.” The sentiments are both ludicrous and ostracizing a person’s appearance. Some arrogance also is present with these pronouncements. A woman thinks she can just become Ms. Olympia with a little amount of exercise is laughable. Building a physique takes time, effort, athletic training, and an immense amount of patience.
Most women would not have the drive to do so. The majority of women do not even want to engage in physical activity or sports. Certain activities are going to have a sex ratio imbalance. Lifting weights and bodybuilding are an example of that. The biggest reason for the imbalance is the stigma associated with the muscular female physique. The stigma is slowly dissipating to a degree. There are probably more muscular women now than any point in history. It will take time for people to accept change. Women harshly judging other women’s athletic physiques demonstrates brain washing into body image conformity.
Critics tend to think women cannot attain muscle or strength without pharmaceutical assistance. Marcie Simmons reveals she has been asked or accused of using steroids. Marcie only takes supplements. The accusations are based on a subtle sexism and ignorance. Women can build muscle and improve sports performance through athletic training. The critics just do not want to accept that women can attain physical prowess. Other questions come from a lack of knowledge. The error is that some think steroids are like a super soldier formula. Marcie has been asked what she takes constantly. Those who make inquiries are going to be disappointed. Exercise, diet, and effort is the only way to attain a fitness goal. Taking a drug does not automatically make a person superhuman. Even if an athletes uses a particular substance, that is no one’s concern. Asking what a person does to their body invades privacy. Certain questions are not out of curiosity, but have some malevolent intent. The questions asked of women in this context are misogynistic projections . Undermining women’s accomplishments or athletic talent is the desired effect of this double standard. Marcie Simmons gets more frustrated than offended. Most do not understand pharmacology or how the human body works.
Marcie did only indirectly discussed the unwanted male attention. Inappropriate comments are used as a way to get with women bodybuilders. Some men think that certain questions are a way to get women interested in them. This is why there are question about their gender. Marcie’s experience with one man attempting small talk was close to sexual harassment. Others are more grotesque. Then unwanted attention is not always sexual. Men might ask female athletes what are their training secrets. Many female bodybuilders are personal trainers and do coaching. Athletes should not be obligated to give free advice. Marcie explains such information should not be given for free. Some who ask women athletes are not interested in athletic training . This is another attempt to get a woman’s attention with amorous intent. Female bodybuilders are not looking for male attention from random men. Marcie Simmons is describing the unpleasant interactions with people who are judgmental of the sport. Marcie’s experience is too common for female competitors. The hope is that this will change overtime. Negative encounters make it harder for women bodybuilders.
