01/12/2024
The Independent Newspaper reports that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has filed an official complaint after winning the Olympic gold, having faced backlash throughout her time competing in the games. Khelif wrongfully had her gender and identity questioned after misinformation was spread online, but Khelif is not a transgender athlete. Khelif won gold in the final by unanimous decision over China's Yang Liu in the welterweight final on Friday (August 10) and will now take legal action over online harassment. Now, her lawyer Nabil Boudi has released a statement, making it clear that Khelif has lodged a formal complaint with Paris prosecutors and asserted "aggravated online harassment". IN particular, a group of extremist feminists who call themselves "TERFS" subjected Ms Khelif to harassment and abuse online without checking their facts. For trans advocates, the case underlines how many women would have their gender questioned, even though they were assigned female at birth. For many years, muscled women, women with higher levels of testosterone and sporty women have had their gender questioned. Ironically, the conspiracy theories about these women stem from misogynistic nineteenth century theories about what makes a "real woman", and the TERF ideology plays right into this mindset.
