ESPN writer identifies as transgender, declares, 'I'm transitioning to male'

ESPN writer Mechelle Voepel announced on Tuesday, "I'm transitioning to male."

"In sports media, we're lucky to tell stories of others' journeys. We have our own, too. Part of mine is being transgender, and I'm transitioning to male. Byline now M.A. Voepel, pronouns he/him. Please feel free to call me Voepel, MV, Michael, Mike; I’m good with them all," Voepel tweeted.

The announcement was met with positive feedback from ESPN colleagues.

"Proud to be teammates with you, Voepel!" Alexa Philippou tweeted.

"Wow, Voepel! Congrats! How about “Mikey”? Will that fly? Proud to have you as a colleague," T.J. Quinn tweeted.

"Proud to be your teammate, MV! Forever admiring you!" Charlotte Gibson tweeted.

Voepel's biography on espnpressroom.com now uses male pronouns and the name M.A. Voepel — the bio previously used female pronouns and the name Mechelle Voepel.

Voepel is slated to receive an award, and wishes to do so while being "authentic," according to the announcement on social media.

"I have the great honor of receiving Gowdy Award next month from Naismith Hall of Fame, and wanted to do that as authentic self, hence this announcement now. Fear can keep us paralyzed for decades, especially when we think we will lose all that is dear to us, including career," Voepel tweeted. "At some point, you realize you need to have faith that your happiness/well-being is worth pursuing, and also have faith in other people's kindness and grace. Grateful for a company that supports all of its employees, for terrific family and friends, and for societal progress," Voepel added.

"I may look and sound a little different," Voepel noted. "Glad to be who I've always been inside. Dedication to covering women's sports, a lifelong joy as well as job, and admiration for all involved – players, coaches, execs, fans, referees, colleagues – that stays exactly the same. Thanks!"

Radical leftist gender ideology is an area of significant cultural contention when it comes to girls' and women's sports, because many people do not believe that biological men who identify as women should be allowed to compete in female sports.