Chris Mosier

Chris Mosier (born 1980) is an American advocate for transgender rights and competitive triathlete, duathlete, and racewalker. He started his athletic career before transitioning, started his transition in 2010, and in 2015 earned a spot on the Team USA sprint duathlon men's team for the 2016 World Championship, making him the first known out trans athlete to join a U.S. national team different from his sex at birth.[5][6]

Chris Mosier
Mosier in 2018
Personal information
Born1980 (age 42–43)[1][2]
Chicago, Illinois[3]
Spouse(s)Zhen Heinemann
Sport
SportRunning
Event(s)Triathlon, duathlon
College teamNorthern Michigan University[4]

While he qualified, Mosier was uncertain about his eligibility to compete in the Duathlon World Championship Race in Spain in June 2016 due to the International Olympic Committee policy around the participation of transgender athletes,[7] with specific provisions from the Stockholm Consensus in 2004.[8] In 2015, Mosier challenged the policy,[9] resulting in the creation and adoption of new IOC guidelines for the participation of transgender athletes.[10] Mosier was considered the catalyst for change in the policy in January 2016,[11] after he successfully advocated for change in the policy[12] to allow his participation in the World Championship and future races. Following the policy change, in 2016 Mosier raced in the International Triathlon Union Sprint Duathlon World Championship race in Aviles, Spain, becoming the first known transgender athlete to compete in a World Championship race.[13]

In 2020 Mosier became the first openly transgender man to ever compete in an Olympic trial alongside other men; however, he was unable to finish the Racewalking event due to injury.[14]

Mosier began competing in triathlon in 2009 as female. In 2010, Mosier publicly self-identified as a transgender man[15] in The Advocate, an American LGBTQ+ magazine, after competing in his first race as male. In 2011 Mosier was featured in The New York Times[1] prior to competing in the Nautica New York City Triathlon, a race he competed in two years prior as a woman.

In 2016 Mosier was chosen as the first openly transgender athlete to be featured in the "Body Issue" of ESPN The Magazine.[16]

Activism

Mosier is the founder[17] of transathlete.com, a resource for students, athletes, coaches, and administrators to find information about trans inclusion in athletics at various levels of play. He also works with LGBTQ sports leagues to improve transgender inclusion. Mosier has spoken across the world about inclusion in sports, his experience as a transgender athlete, athlete activism, and creating more inclusive spaces.[18]

In 2019, Mosier joined the Board of Directors of Point of Pride, a non-profit that works to benefit trans people in need through gender-affirming support programs that empower them to live more authentically.[19]

Mosier was previously the Vice President of Program Development and Community Relations for You Can Play,[20] an organization that works to ensure the safety and inclusion of all in sports - including LGBTQ athletes, coaches, and fans.[21]

Previously, Mosier was the Executive Director of GO! Athletes, a national non-profit network of current and former LGBTQ high school and college student-athletes which creates safer spaces in athletics through visibility, education, and advocacy.[22]

Gender transition

Mosier struggled with gender identity at a young age. He knew at the age of four years that his gender identity (male) and biological sex (female) did not match. He began his transition in 2010 when he legally changed his name, and then began a medical transition. Although many assumed that making this transition would make Mosier a "middle of the pack" athlete,[23] he has been able to excel in the men's category.

Mosier spoke about his experience with Chicago Go Pride, saying, "Competing as a woman, I thought about gender all the time, to a point where it interfered with my ability to be successful because I didn't feel comfortable at races. Now, I feel more able to focus and gender doesn't come up as much."[24]

Coaching activity

Mosier is a USA Triathlon certified coach. He was a coach and ambassador for the Empire Triathlon Club in NYC from 2012-2016,[25] and in 2017 began coaching at EDGE Athlete Lounge in Chicago, Illinois.[26] In 2014, he was named 2014's Best Personal Trainer of the Northeast[27] by Competitor magazine.

Athletic achievements

Mosier made Team USA for the first time in sprint duathlon in 2015.[28] He made the long course duathlon team in 2016 at a race in Cary, North Carolina.[29] Mosier made his fourth Team USA team in long course duathlon in the 2017 National Championship, where he placed 2nd in his 35-39 age group and finished 50th overall with a time of 02:40:27.[30]

In 2016, Mosier earned All-American honors in duathlon.[31]

In 2019, Mosier won two National Championships in Race Walking. Winning 15th place for 30K with a time of 3:14:25 and 8th place for 50k with a time of 5:53:47.[32]

In 2020, Mosier competed in the US Olympic Team Trials for the 50k Racewalk event; however, he was unable to finish the race due to injury.[14] As such, he became the first known transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic Trials in the gender with which they identify.[33]

In 2023, Mosier won the National Championship at the USA Triathlon Duathlon Gravel National Championship race in Fayetteville, Arkansas.[34]

Awards

In 2011, Mosier was one of three finalists for the Compete Magazine Athlete of the Year award.

In 2011, Mosier was given an honorable mention by USA Triathlon for the 2011 USAT Spirit of Multisport Awards.[35] Mosier was honored for his work in promoting trans visibility and LGBT inclusion in multisport and his commitment to advocating for all people to have the opportunity to feel safe, compete, and thrive in sports.

In 2013, Mosier was named Athlete of the Year[36] at the Compete Sports Diversity Awards in Los Angeles, California.

Mosier was named to the 2014 Trans 100 list. The "Trans 100" is an annual list of some of the most prominent and influential individuals who identify as trans and are actively working towards creating a better world for the transgender community.[37]

In 2014, Mosier was named as an inductee into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame, thus making him the first openly transgender man inducted.[38][39]

In 2014 Mosier was also included as part of The Advocate's annual "40 Under 40" list.[38]

In 2014, he was named 2014's Best Personal Trainer of the Northeast[27] by Competitor magazine.

In 2015, Mosier was honored by USA Triathlon as the 2014 Jeff Jewell Spirit of Multisport award winner.[40]

In 2016, Mosier was named Outsports Person of the Year.[41]

In 2016, Mosier was named to the Out magazine OUT100 list.[42]

In 2016, Mosier earned All-American honors in duathlon.[31]

In 2017, Mosier was awarded the Sports Pillar Award from the World OutGames Miami 2017 at the organization's Bronze Bash event.[43]

In 2018, Mosier was named as a Beyond Sport Ambassador.[44]

References
  1. Dreier, Frederick (August 6, 2011). "For Transgender Triathlete, a Top Finish in New York Is Secondary". The New York Times. p. 6. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  2. Forman, Ross (November 20, 2013). "Chicago native Mosier transitions into triathlon star". Windy City Times. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  3. Preston, Kinley. "Chris Mosier interview with ChicagoPride.com". Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  4. Lauren Steele (August 2, 2016). "Chris Mosier on Making History as First Trans Member of Team USA". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  5. "Triathlete Chris Mosier Joins Men of Team USA, Making Transgender Sports History". www.advocate.com.
  6. Zeigler, Cyd (June 7, 2015). "Trans endurance athlete Chris Mosier earns spot on Team USA". Outsports. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  7. "Trans triathlete Chris Mosier may be barred from competing at World Championships". Outsports. January 21, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  8. "Olympic News - Official Source of Olympic News". Olympic.org. June 14, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  9. ThinkProgress. "The Olympics Are Now Much Friendlier For Transgender Athletes — ThinkProgress". Thinkprogress.org. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016.
  10. "Exclusive: Read the Olympics' new transgender guidelines that will not mandate surgery". Outsports. January 22, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  11. "The Trans Athlete Behind the Olympic Committee's New Gender Policy". The Cut. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  12. "The Transgender Man Who Changed the Olympics, Sportshour - BBC World Service". BBC. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  13. "Mosier breaks ground at duathlon championship". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  14. Ennis, Dawn (January 27, 2020). "Chris Mosier makes history at 2020 Olympic trials, vows to race again". Outsports. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  15. Mosier, Chris (November 2, 2014). "An Iron Man". The Advocate. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  16. Stack, Liam (June 23, 2016). "Chris Mosier is First Transgender Athlete in ESPN's 'Body Issue'". The New York Times.
  17. Zeigler, Cyd (November 15, 2013). "Chris Mosier launches transathlete.com". Outsports. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  18. "Speaking Engagements". Chris Mosier. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  19. "Who We Are". Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  20. "Team USA Athlete and LGBTQ Advocate Chris Mosier Joins the You Can Play Team as Vice President". www.youcanplayproject.org. August 15, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  21. "Mission Statement". www.youcanplayproject.org. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  22. "GO! Athletes | A support network of current and former LGBTQ collegiate and high school student athletes". GO! Athletes. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015.
  23. Frederick, Dreier (August 5, 2011). "For Transgender Triathlete, a Top Finish in New York is Secondary". The New York Times.
  24. Heffernan, Dani (November 7, 2011). "Transgender Triathlete Chris Mosier on Transition and Inclusivity in Sports".
  25. "Coaches & Ambassadors". Empire Tri Club. Empire Tri Club. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014.
  26. "Coaches | EDGE Athlete Lounge". EDGE Athlete Lounge. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  27. Competitor.com (December 30, 2014). "Best of Competitor 2014 - Northeast Region". running.competitor.com/2014/12/news/best-competitor-2014-northeast-region_120512. Competitor.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  28. "From the Mag: Will Team USA's first out transgender athlete be allowed to compete?". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  29. "Chris Mosier earns spot on second US national team". Outsports. May 16, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  30. "Chris Mosier takes 2nd place at National Championship in North Carolina". Outsports. May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  31. "Chris Mosier earns All-American status". Outsports. April 21, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  32. Minsberg, Talya (January 28, 2020). "Trans Athlete Chris Mosier on Qualifying for the Olympic Trials". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  33. Ennis, Dawn (January 27, 2020). "Chris Mosier makes history at Olympic trials, calling it 'incredible and heartbreaking'". Outsports.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  34. "USA Triathlon 2023 Gravel and Off Road National Champions Crowned in Arkansas". USA Triathlon. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  35. "USA Triathlon Announces First-Ever Multisport Award Winners". USA Triathlon. February 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
  36. Wardman, Connie. "Chris Mosier - 2013 Athlete of the Year". Compete Sports. Archived from the original on November 23, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  37. "Mosier named to Trans 100 lists". thetrans100.com/. April 9, 2014.
  38. Hollenbeck, Annie (August 19, 2014). "40 Under 40: Chris Mosier Wants Trans People to Feel Comfortable Playing the Sport They Love". Advocate.com. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  39. "National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame names 2014 Inductees". GoPride.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  40. "Honor 2014 Athletes of the Year and Multisport Award Winners in Milwaukee on Aug. 6". USAT. USA Triathlon. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  41. "Outsports Person of the Year: Chris Mosier". Outsports. December 21, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  42. "OUT100 2016". October 31, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  43. "World OutGames 2017". Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  44. "Beyond Sport". www.beyondsport.org. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
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