“Yikes,” tennis great Martina Navratilova slams Megan Rapinoe over stance on Trans people participation in women’s sports

While both of them fight for the rights of the alternate sex, the two legends stand on two opposite poles on this matter.

“Yikes,” tennis great Martina Navratilova slams Megan Rapinoe over stance on Trans people participation in women’s sports

Megan Rapinoe(L) and Martina Navratilova(R) (Credit: ESPN)

Nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova reacted to Megan Rapinoe’s comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. She had said that she would welcome the inclusion of transgender women in the US women’s national team.

Navratilova reacted to the comments, which later went viral, with one word: “Yikes”. The tennis legend is an open lesbian and gay rights activist but is against transgender women’s participation in women’s sports. She praised the World Athletics for using its policy of not allowing transgender women to compete against biological ones.

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In an op-ed, she wrote, “In the wake of World Athletics’ announcement, I think the best idea would be to have ‘biological female’ and ‘biological girls’ categories and then an ‘open’ category,” Rapinoe, who is also openly lesbian, has completely different views on this subject. She has been a huge advocate for transgender rights and said that women’s sports are being ‘weaponized’.

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In an interview, she said, “It’s particularly frustrating when women’s sports is weaponized. Oh, now we care about fairness? Now we care about women’s sports? That’s total bulls—. And show me all the trans people who are nefariously taking advantage of being trans in sports. It’s just not happening.” Explaining why she’ll welcome a trans woman in her team, she said, “You’re taking a ‘real’ woman’s place,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic. I see trans women as real women. What you’re saying automatically in the argument—you’re sort of telling on yourself already—is you don’t believe these people are women. Therefore, they’re taking the other spot. I don’t feel that way.”

Related: “Not kind to ask a girl to undress in front of a man,” Riley Gaines again targets Megan Rapinoe over her stance on Trans supporting bill in female sports

Megan Rapinoe blames Dave Chapelle for transgender violence

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Dave Chappelle(L) and Megan Rapinoe(R) (Credit: ESPN)

In a comprehensive feature for TIME Magazine prior to the Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe expressed her discontent with comedian Dave Chappelle, Martina Navratilova, and Sage Steele for their opposition to transgender women playing in women’s sports. “I don’t want to mince words about it,” she said.

“Dave Chappelle making jokes about trans people directly leads to violence, whether it’s verbal or otherwise, against trans people. When Martina or Sage or whoever are talking about this, people aren’t hearing it just in the context of elite sports. They’re saying, ‘The rest of my life, this is how I’m going to treat trans people.’” Chapelle, an American comedian came under fire after he defended J.K. Rowling, accused of being transphobic.

Rapinoe, aged 38, is about to participate in her fourth and final World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on July 20. Earlier this month, she announced her retirement from the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) at the end of this season. As a prominent figure in women’s soccer in the United States, Rapinoe is expected to assume a reduced playing role on the field this time. She will likely serve as a seasoned mentor to younger players, while the team aims to secure a third consecutive World Cup.

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