It struck me while reading the last few pages, that the difference here (and where activists are once again misusing words) we are saying that IK looks MALE or whereas when they twist it, they change that to MASCULINE.
So we’re not saying it’s about clothes or muscles, it’s about body shape and composition, which is very different.
For example, when it comes to body fat, there’s a huge difference between healthy levels for men and women, which is why 6 kg weight gain in a person with a smallish frame means very different things for a man and a woman.
I confess I ran into trouble on this one though, because it seemed obvious to me that Khelif, like Semenya, had never really even pretended to believe he was female after puberty. But pointing that out creates a conflict with women who have been dressing in masculine clothing.
For me, there’s a clear difference: someone female wearing men’s clothing probably receives push back, whereas someone male in men’s clothes receives better treatment. Trying to explain the nuance in that to a young, butch lesbian proved impossible though.
And for me, Khelif’s next action is a huge pointer to another difference. The butch lesbian, on having a moment of fame, would embrace that chance to get the message across that “this is who I am and I’m not going to change for you”. That’s a line she has probably taken her whole life, despite the hardships it’s caused. Khelif instead, suddenly embraced femininity. However much pressure, I don’t believe a butch woman would do that as it would be antithetical to everything she has been fighting against her whole life.
It’s not going to bring my beautiful butch lesbian relative back to me though, as she’s now embraced the lies and is supporting men that she falsely sees as similar to her.