Portland has a transgender biking club

Screengrab of article in Portland Monthly.
Screengrab of article in Portland Monthly.

Portland Monthly magazine has the story of a new riding club in Portland: Transgender Riders United.

Here their lede:

When Quinn Lindstrom moved to Portland six months ago, she quickly fell in love with cycling, and began to seek out a group that shared her passion. But although there are more than 10 bike clubs within the city and countless others around Oregon, Lindstrom, a transgender woman, struggled to find one that felt like a good fit. She eventually decided to start her own group, Transgender Riders United (TRU), where trans folk of all genders could cycle together without judgment.

The article has a Q & A with Lindstrom that includes how the group was supported from the get-go by Gladys Bikes owner Leah Benson. The group’s first ride was earlier this month.

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Here’s the group’s description on Facebook:

Welcome to the official TRU (Transgender Riders United) Facebook group! Based in Portland, OR, this is a group for any and all under the “transgender” terminology umbrella to congregate, share, and cultivate their passion for cycling. While allies are welcome in this space, this is primarily a safe space, built by, and for, transgender folk in the Portland area.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

BikePortland is supported by the community (that means you!). Please become a subscriber or make a donation today.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Ted Timmons (Contributor)

So happy for this. Leah (and team) have made Gladys a place that is welcoming to all. If you think it is hard enough to ask some salesdude about the best saddle that doesn’t pinch your labia, it’s likely to be far worse for trans. From the city that figures out how Molly Cameron can compete, this fits right in.

If you know a person who is trans, whether they bike or not, point them at this.

Mike 2
Mike 2
7 years ago

Wait – how did the city figure it out? It was my understanding that USA Cycling reversed their decision. I don’t believe the city of Portland did anything for Molly.

Ted Timmons (Contributor)
Reply to  Mike 2

I meant “us” as the city. In this case it’s OBRA- and everyone who races with Molly.

JeffS
JeffS
7 years ago

Making self-segregation cool again.

soren
soren
7 years ago
Reply to  JeffS

“Making self-segregation cool again.”

I think that using a loaded term like “segregation” to describe a group of people voluntarily coming together for fun and support is not cool.

Lester Burnham
Lester Burnham
7 years ago
Reply to  soren

I’m curious what was so horrible about all the existing cycling clubs.

Hopeful
7 years ago
Reply to  Lester Burnham

Curious. Are there other cycling clubs that actively and specifically invite the trans community to get involved?
Straight white guy here. I’ve ridden with a bunch of cis straight white guys in all of the groups I’ve ridden with. I don’t think I would feel as comfortable if I were trans, or a person of color, or a woman in those groups. Do you really not get it, or are you trolling?

Adam
7 years ago
Reply to  Hopeful

There are unfortunately always trolls whenever articles like these are posted.

jeff
jeff
7 years ago
Reply to  Hopeful

do they have to? there are several clubs who invite anyone who wants to show up…I don’t believe they check your gender before “letting” you ride with them. Portland Velo is one such group.

Ted Timmons (Contributor)
Reply to  jeff

Why does this threaten you?

Middle of the Road Guy
Middle of the Road Guy
7 years ago
Reply to  soren

What is loaded to you is not loaded to others.

Was it an inaccurate usage of the term?