Sapir Berman, an experienced, male professional soccer referee, has announced publicly that she is now a transgender woman. Not long after coming out, the 26-year-old Berman went back onto the field as head ref in a Premiere League match between Hapoel Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem. Berman was received matter-of-factly by the crowd –which was small due to COVID restrictions — and by her fellow referees and the players.
Quote: “In pre-game warmups and during the match, it was business as usual for the players. Some chatted and laughed with her before kickoff. Beitar Jerusalem fan Omer Weiss told Israel’s Kan public broadcaster that ‘we have nothing personal against anyone. Everyone should live their own way.’ ”
Sources: Wikipedia (introduction), The Times of Israel (quotation)
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Photo: CTV News
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