Anyway, over to Chicago. @Datun may particularly (dis)like this one. I recommend you all click through on the link. It's the local paper, and there are pictures of the people complaining.
The Chicago Marathon has also introduced a new non-binary category, and people aren't happy.
extract
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the most prestigious races, drawing runners from around the globe. So when Cal Calamia heard that the race on Sunday had opened a nonbinary runner category for first time ever, they were ecstatic.
“It’s really exciting. It feels really good to choose nonbinary in my hometown race,” said Calamia, who does not identify as either male or female and uses the pronoun they.
But Calamia grew concerned when they realized there was no “elite” nonbinary division, as in the male and female races, or any finish line ribbon or monetary prize. Calamia then noticed there had been no public announcement to promote the division. [bold mine]
“Personally, it feels hurtful [bold mine] because it feels performative, or brushed under the rug, because it really is a big deal,” said Calamia, a teacher in San Francisco who grew up in Grayslake.
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is the second major marathon in the country to open a division for nonbinary runners, following the New York City Marathon last year. Two other World Major Marathons, London and Boston, will host nonbinary divisions in their 2023 races.
The move to include nonbinary race divisions has been hailed as major progress by LGBTQ activists who have been pushing for races to be more inclusive. But some worry the changes are only superficial, made without public announcements that would welcome nonbinary runners. The Chicago marathon opened its first-ever nonbinary division without any statement to the media or public.
CONTINUES