HOBART, Tasmania – A 47-year-old transsexual was cleared to play in an Australian women’s soccer league after spending 25 years in men’s leagues.
Martine Delaney, who used compete as Martin Delaney, received approval from Soccer Tasmania this week. She had a sex-change operation more than two years ago.
Delaney, a human rights activist for many years, is surprised she has become front-page news in Australia.
“It’s not the primary reason I decided to play, but it’s given transgender issues some profile – for sure,” Delaney told The Associated Press by telephone. “I’ve had some wonderful reactions. An elderly lady recognized me and walked up to me, grabbed my arm and told me: ‘Congratulations, you’ve done a good thing – go for it, girl!'”