Meet Justine Lindsay: The NFL’s first openly transgender cheerleader

Though she announced it on her Instagram account back in March, news of Justine Lindsay becoming the NFL’s first openly transgender cheerleader has gone viral now that it’s Pride Month.

Justine Lindsay is a 29-year-old black, trans woman, who will cheer for the Carolina Panthers “TopCats”, which makes her part of two minority groups amongst NFL cheerleaders. Being the first comes with some backlash, and Lindsay admitted that she was scared to post her announcement on social media. But since then, it’s been met with messages of support and good wishes. Not everyone is so friendly of course. In another post, Lindsay talked about receiving messages of transphobia as well. Not one to let it break her spirit, she said “thank you to all my haters” and embraced the role she plays in paving the way for future trans athletes.

Meanwhile, in some states, Republican legislators are banning trans girls and women from participating in high school and college sports, including a disturbing genital inspection for those suspected of being transgender. Lindsay’s hire will look to start to end transphobic laws like those in the US.

Black cheerleaders are a minority in the NFL as well. There’s a lot of pressure to look a certain way in that role, and that way is usually straight hair and other typical Euro-centric looks. Lindsay, however, was relieved to find out she’s allowed to keep the bald look she has now. She saw her baldness as yet another opportunity to “inspire other young girls who may be insecure rocking their bald look”.

In an interview with Buzzfeed, Lindsay said that she is excited to be breaking barriers. “I think more people need to see this. It’s not because I want recognition. It’s just to shed light on what’s going on in the world.”