Justine Lindsay (Photo via Instagram)

Justine Lindsay, who became the NFL‘s first trans cheerleader in 2022, is now speaking out against the Carolina Panthers.

The then-29-year-old announced she was trans and that she had made the Panthers’ Topcats cheerleading squad, saying, “Cats Out the Bag, you are looking at the newest member of the Carolina Panthers TopCats Cheerleader’s @topcats as the first Transgender female,” Lindsay wrote. “I would like to thank the beautiful and talented dancers who supported me along the way alumni TopCats family and friends for your love and support.”

Three years later, her smile turned to a frown when Lindsay decided not to return to the TopCats for a fourth season.

Justine Lindsay announced her decision in a statement to Outsports, emphasizing her desire to focus on community and pageantry work.

Now she has something to say about the Panthers.

Justine Lindsay Says She Was Cut Because She Was Transgender

Justine Lindsay, Carolina TopCats, walks on the red carpet during a Night of Pride With GLAAD on Feb. 8, 2023, in Phoenix. The event spotlights LGBTQ inclusion in professional sports.
Justine Lindsay is now breaking her silence three years after becoming the NFL’s first transgender cheerleader.

Lindsay is claiming that her departure had something to do with being transgender. Lindsay departed the team in August after being on the Carolina TopCats since 2022.

“I was cut because I’m trans. I don’t wanna hear nobody saying ‘She didn’t wanna come back.’ Why the hell would I not wanna come back to an organization that I’ve been a part of for three years,” Lindsay told Gaye Magazine.

Despite what she said, Lindsay made it clear that there was no ill will toward the Panthers, but noted that the team wasn’t looking at the bigger picture.

“I love them down. I appreciate everything that they’ve done for me, but I feel like I was done wrong,” the former cheerleader said.

“It was like a big slap in the face to not only me but for the youth,” Lindsay said. “And this was right after Trump became president.”

Lindsay referenced Donald Trump, who has actively opposed transgender participation in sports and the military.

As soon as he was sworn into office, he signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” order, which threatened to revoke federal funding from schools and athletic programs that allow transgender girls and women to compete in female sports.