Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has taken serious issue with comments made by Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner regarding the participation of transgender athletes in sports.
Griner, speaking ahead of the 2023 WNBA season, referred to legislation aimed at preventing transgender athletes from competing against individuals of the gender they identify as “a crime.“
Gaines responded to Griner’s remarks on Twitter, questioning which NBA team would have her and expressing disappointment at “athletically successful women” adopting such a stance.
Gaines further implied that Griner’s position was demeaning to women.
Griner had emphasized her support for transgender athletes during a recent interview with ESPN, saying, “Everyone deserves the right to play. Everyone deserves the right to come here, sit in these seats, and feel safe.”
She went on to express her commitment to speaking out against legislation that would segregate transgender athletes.
Gaines’ criticism comes as the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s executive voted on a policy requiring high schools and middle schools to review the birth certificates of transgender athletes to determine which teams they can participate on.
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The House of Representatives recently passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which seeks to prevent biological males from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy celebrated the bill’s passage, saying, “Today is a great day for America, for fairness, for families, and most importantly for female athletes.” He added that House Republicans had kept their promise to protect women and girls in sports.
However, President Biden has indicated that he would veto the bill if it were to reach his desk.
The ongoing debate surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in sports has ignited a wider conversation about the rights and opportunities available to such individuals, as well as the potential implications for biological female athletes.