Kate Phillips’ parents raised her alongside her younger sister, Lisa, in Livermore, where she grew up riding in the ample bike trails.
She was born in Northern California on an Air Force Base where her father worked on the SR-71 Blackbird—the fastest airplane ever built.
Kate Phillips recently won the women’s 55-59 road race at the Lyons Masters National Championships in Wisconsin, a USA Cycling-sanctioned event.
Her victory has reignited debates over fairness, transparency, and inclusion in women’s sports. Moreover, her win drew immediate backlash from some competitors.
Julie Peterson, who finished second, refused to stand on the podium in protest, later stating she was unaware a transgender athlete was in the race.
Other riders, including veteran cyclist Debbie Milne, expressed frustration over the lack of prior notification about Phillips’ participation.
I have in my last 10 years of racing, I’ve had to race against biological males, I’ve been forced to be on the podium with many of them, more recently the last five years. In Oregon, every almost weekend, there is a biological male in our races, every weekend, practically.
Kristina Gray
Under current USA Cycling rules, transgender women can compete in the female category if they submit a signed declaration of their gender identity and undergo an “Elite Athlete Fairness Evaluation” for championship events.
Critics argue that the policy lacks transparency and question whether it ensures fair competition.
Furthermore, Phillips is no stranger to controversy as a transgender athlete. In 2004, she reportedly became the first U.S. trans athlete to compete under International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines in rugby.
She has been vocal about inclusion in sports, arguing that exclusionary rhetoric harms women’s athletics and reinforces misogyny.
Always be you! You are amazing no matter what you do, and don’t let anything stop you from doing what you like to do…I like to race on my bike. I won’t ever stop…Racing is a shared experience with your peers, and awesome competitors become awesome friends when you let them in. Be kind, stand up, embrace others, and be amazing, always!
Kate Phillips
Kate Phillips’ Parents Fueled Her Fearless Journey From SR-71 Skies To Cycling Dreams
Katheryn James Phillips credits much of her early resilience and passion for life to the supportive environment her parents created.
She was born in 1976 at a Northern California Air Force Base where her father worked on the legendary SR-71 Blackbird. Her upbringing was shaped by curiosity, discipline, and a love for adventure.
After leaving the Air Force, her family settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, eventually putting down roots in Livermore.
Her parents secured their forever home, where they raised Kate and her younger sister, Lisa, in a community renowned for its bike-friendly culture.
The rolling hills and early bike paths of Livermore provided the perfect backdrop for Kate’s childhood, fostering her lifelong love of cycling.
Her parents encouraged her diverse interests, whether it was sports, academics, or creative pursuits.
Kate thrived, studying drafting, graphic arts, math, and computer science while excelling in athletics in high school.
She played football, soccer, and golf, and ran track, often as the only girl on the team, though she kept her identity as a closeted trans kid in the 1980s hidden.
Since then, some outcomes have become apparent, and some would say these are troubling times. The truth is that when you are living your truth in the LGBTQIA+ or any other marginalized community, times are always trying.
Kate Phillips
Her parents provided a stable and loving foundation throughout, allowing her to explore her passions even in a time when societal acceptance was scarce.
Kate’s journey has been one of courage and self-discovery, but the influence of her parents is undeniable. Their support in her formative years helped shape the determined, multifaceted individual she is today.
Kate Phillips Came Out In 1991
Kate Phillips came out, taking her first steps toward living as her true self in 1991. Her journey has been one of courage, determination, and relentless self-discovery.
But it wasn’t until 1997 that she fully embraced her identity, later transitioning in Texas in 1999, just six months after the birth of her daughter, Leah.
Before becoming a well-known figure in the cycling community, Kate led a life full of diverse experiences.
From playing video games in her garage as a kid to serving in the military with training in combat medicine, she later worked as a computer engineer at Dell.
She played soccer and rugby before injuries led her to triathlon and, eventually, cycling.
In 2021, she joined the virtual cycling platform Zwift and became a member of The Coalition, an esports team. Her passion for cycling only grew from there.
She later joined Artemis Racing and competed in events like the Gran Fondo National Championship in Maryland.
Now a grandmother, Kate Phillips enjoys passing on her love of cycling by teaching her grandchild how to ride a bike. Her story proved that it’s never too late to be who you truly are and chase your passions.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- USA Gymnastics (USAG) suspended its transgender eligibility policy in May 2025.
- USA Fencing announced in April that it was updating its gender-eligibility regulations following a widely shared complaint by women’s fencer Stephanie Turner.
