Métis youth swimmer becomes 1st transgender male to compete in Manitoba

Kahnay Johnson is breaking barriers in the Manitoba swim world by being the first transgender male to compete in the province. 

On May 7, the 15-year-old Métis swimmer and member of the St. James Seals Swim Club officially competed in the male category in the Bison Sprint Invitational Meet hosted by the University of Manitoba Bisons swim team in Winnipeg. 

"It was really cool, it was a little scary, but I think everything's a little scary [the] first time around," he said. 

Kahnay ended up with some career-best swim times in the 50-metre freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke categories. He said he's glad to be an example for others in the sport. 

"I think being able to swim as my authentic self is really good, and I really appreciate the fact that I'm able to," he said.

Kahnay said Swim Manitoba contacted him to see if he was interested in switching to the male swim category. He then re-registered as male, after five years of competing as female. Though he wasn't able to keep his previous swim times, he said he's still grateful for the opportunity, and the chance to inspire others.

"I hope that it becomes a more easily accessible thing for people to do when they switch over, when they come out, so everyone can feel that sense of support," he said.

One of Kahnay's biggest supporters is his mom, Colleen Johnson. 

She said since Kahnay came out as transgender last year, it's been a different journey, especially with sports being divided into two genders. 

"That made it a real challenge while Kahnay was trying to figure himself out," said Colleen.

"It made it uncomfortable, especially when it came to change rooms, and where do you fit in." 

She said that since a lot of facilities in the city don't have gender-neutral change