'Jeopardy!' champ hits $1 million; talks fame, trans rights

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By LYNN ELBER

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Jeopardy!” champion Amy Schneider is adding to her list of bragging rights and admirers.

Already the highest-earning female contestant in the quiz show’s history and the woman with the longest winning streak, on Friday she became one of only four “Jeopardy!” players to reach seven figures in regular-season winnings.

She’s collected $1.02 million in 28 victories, solidifying her 4th-place position on the list that includes Ken Jennings with $2.5 million; James Holzhauer, $2.46 million, and Matt Amodio, $1.52 million.

Snip: More significantly, she’s the first transgender person to qualify for the show’s tournament of champions. In a series of tweets last November, Schneider said she’s proud to be a trans woman and wants people to know that aspect of her, adding, “but I’m a lot of other things, too!”



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-arts-and-entertainment-ohio-ken-jennings-james-holzhauer-8dd490129a08be68f5c230b5109a0b47

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There have been a few “Jeopardy!” posts in LBN before. I feel this one is important news of national interest because Amy is herself a transgender.

"Schneider’s “Jeopardy!” achievements have made her both an inspiration and a target for transphobic insults online — which she batted away with the same aplomb she displays on TV."

[rurallib]

1. Don't care what her sexual designation is, she is just plain smart

Hope to be watching when she breaks Ken Jennings records right in front of Ken.

[dem4decades]

2. Why? If Amy does, she does. but what's the in your face Thrill.

[rurallib]

3. Not 'in your face.' I am a Jennings fan

I just think it would be a great story if she were to set the record with the previous record holder hosting.

But that is a long way away and even Amy Schneider may have a bad day. Plus I have no idea what the schedule is for hosting. Will Jennings be hosting another 45 games?

Just think it would a good story line.

Not sure where you got the 'in your face Thrill' from my post.

[NullTuples]

4. Representation is important. Maybe not to you, but some empathy would go a long way.

[olegramps]

10. I don't understand how it happens, but God bless her and everyone with a similar situation.

A lot of what we get in life is not of our choice. Some of us would have liked to be taller, stronger, see better, the list is endless. We just have to do with what we have been dealt.

[Tommymac]

5. I watched one of her contests and she absolutely ruled.

It was fun. I consider myself a good armchair Jeopardy player, but I have seen few compete like her so far.

Would be fun to see all 4 who have won the mil compete against each other.

[KPN]

6. She is definitely an inspiration to me and my family -- especially my kids who, as young adults,

I am very proud of as well as impressed by their thoughtful and empathic bent. (A quick aside here: In my mind, they -- my kids -- represent a young generation that inspire me overall with their tolerance, open-mindedness, overall empathy for others, and determination to save and improve our world.) My kids actually got my wife and I hooked on tuning in each weeknight to watch Amy's journey; it has certainly been fun.

[melm00se]

7. ICYMI

Link to tweet

[niyad]

11. Thank you. How utterly awful.

[tonekat]

8. There was a column in the NYT today

Written by Jennifer Finley Boylan, it was about the chuckleheads who remark that she's not a woman, crap like that. The point is that there are still people out there despite all the progress for trans people who still feel obligated to throw a turd in the punch bowl. I'd hate to be in their heads.

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. I have a trans cousin

He is my first cousin's son. I'll call him Don. He was born in 1978 with cerebral palsy and has been in a wheelchair his entire life. He always wanted his hair to be very short and wanted to wear pants, never dresses. When he hit puberty, he started growing a lot of hair on his face and arms. Eventually, about 10 years ago, he "came out" to the family. I don't know how long the process took, but my cousin's parents, in their 80s at that point, accepted him, his new identity and his chosen name. His church even asked him if he wanted to be baptized again, with his new name.

The thing is, my aunt and uncle were born in 1929.They accepted Don because they LOVED him and wanted him to be happy. So why is it so hard for some people to accept? There is so much that we don't know about gender identity and sexual preference. I was born a straight cis female. I didn't choose it, and neither did gay people or trans people. I simply am what I am and they ARE what they are.

Oddly enough, I found out there is a distant cousin in our family who is trans as well and thankfully, his parents accepted him and allowed him to adopt a new name when he was 13. He's now in his late 50s. Is there a trans gene? I don't know, but everyone deserves to be happy in their skin.