From making history as the NFL’s first openly trans performer to why she\u2019s no longer with the TopCats, Justine Lindsay opens up about her cheer journey.<\/p>\n
In 2022, the 33-year-old made headlines when she joined the Carolina Panthers\u2019 TopCats, becoming the NFL\u2019s first trans cheerleader.<\/p>\n
Over the next three seasons, she showcased her skills across multiple NFL stadiums, including an international stint in Germany when the Panthers faced the New York Giants.<\/p>\n
In the new issue of Gay Times<\/em><\/a>, Lindsay reflects on becoming an LGBTQIA+ trailblazer in a largely heteronormative and cis-centric industry.<\/p>\n “It had its ups and downs! It’s a very humbling experience because when I came into that space, it wasn’t about me trying to make a headline or looking for clout,” she explains.<\/p>\n “This was me just saying, ‘This is who I am, dance is my life, it’s my love.’ I didn’t care if it was a male-dominated field. I just wanted to dance. But being the first trans woman in that environment\u2026 a lot of people didn’t really care for me.”<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Lindsay revealed to <\/a>OutSports<\/a> t<\/em>hat she would not be returning to the TopCats for a fourth season. As she tells GT, it \u201cwasn\u2019t my choice.\u201d<\/p>\n “I felt good about my audition [for the 2025-2026 season], but I did think, \u2018Hmm, this is probably going to be my last year.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A post shared by Justine S Lindsay (@justinesimone_)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n