Last spring, the dancer made history as the first openly transgender female cheerleader in the sports organization as Blavity previously reported. Before she made the news public, she admitted to BuzzFeed she was “scared” about the response she would get from close-minded people. Despite the unknown, she posted a photo on Instagram of herself standing in the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina to let the “cat out of the bag” and commemorate this achievement, which was a huge milestone in her career.

“I did face negative comments from trolls who were trying to make me feel bad about myself. At first, it was very hurtful because I’m just minding my own business. I even considered deleting my Instagram at one point — I mean, I’m just doing what I love to do, and I’m going out here, not even focusing on the fact that I’m trans,” she explained in a written essay published by Insider.

She continued, “But I told myself, ‘Hey, listen, I’m making a change one way or another,’ and I just shut it out. Anytime you’re doing something great or positive, someone’s always going to come behind and try to steal your joy. So I just have to continue to do what I love to do.”

 

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Lindsay fell in love with the art of dance while in elementary school.

“Ballet was the one dance skill I knew I had to love and had to learn. I’d go to the computer almost every day, trying to connect it to the internet through AOL, and I’d watch video after video to learn everything I could, from arm movements to leg and feet placements,” she wrote in an essay Insider shared.

“Dance was my way into NFL cheerleading,” she added. “I remember telling my mom, ‘I’m doing this thing you never heard of.’ And she said, ‘If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, at least you know who you’re dealing with.’ I held my head high, and literally danced my way in.”

Now that the season is over, she’s had time to reflect on her experience on an NFL cheer squad. She knew she was making history, but she now understands the full impact her acceptance has and will continue to have.

“It was so much fun: It’s a journey you’ll never forget, that feeling you feel every time you hit the field” Lindsay wrote. “I’m very appreciative of the organization for taking a leap of faith on me, and for seeing me as a person. They’ve set the foundation for other organizations, because you never know who’s gonna walk in through the audition doors.”

At this time in her life, she’s enjoying the fruits of her labor. She says she hopes her representation of the transgender community encourages more sports organizations to be more accepting of others.

“I want to become a beacon of hope for the trans and broader LGBTQ community. I want to continue to change the narrative, to help people open up their minds and to look at us for what we’re bringing to the table. To let them know that as a trans woman, I am here,” she said.