Megan Rapinoe criticizes Chappelle, Navratilova, and those against men in women’s sports as ‘Bulls***’.

Megan Rapinoe Defends Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

In a recent interview with TIME, USA Soccer star Megan Rapinoe passionately spoke out against those who oppose transgender individuals competing in women’s sports. She didn’t hold back, calling their concerns “bulls***.”

Rapinoe specifically targeted comedian Dave Chappelle, tennis legend Martina Navratilova, and ESPN’s Sage Steele, criticizing their views on the matter.

“We as a country are trying to legislate away people’s full humanity,” Rapinoe exclaimed. “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.”

Rapinoe emphasized the importance of sports as a means of fun, physical activity, and camaraderie. She urged everyone to consider the impact their words and actions have on people’s lives beyond the realm of competition.

“I don’t want to mince words about it,” she stated. “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.'”

When asked if she would support a biological man identifying as a woman joining the U.S. women’s soccer team, even if it meant displacing a biological woman, Rapinoe responded with a resounding “Absolutely.” She criticized the argument that suggests trans women are not “real” women and therefore shouldn’t be allowed to compete.

‘You’re taking a ‘real’ woman’s place,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic,” Rapinoe explained. “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.”

In recognition of her achievements and advocacy, President Biden awarded Rapinoe the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

Earlier this year, Rapinoe voiced her opposition to H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which aimed to prohibit transgender-identifying males from participating in female sports. The bill defined sex based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth.

“Today, politicians in DC are claiming to ‘protect women’s sports’ by pushing a trans & intersex sports ban,” Rapinoe tweeted. “Call your Congressional rep today to say women’s sports need protection from unequal pay, sexual abuse & lack of resources, NOT from trans kids.”

Rapinoe joined forces with 40 other athletes in a letter to House legislators opposing H.R. 734. They expressed their hope that transgender and intersex children would never experience the isolation and discrimination that the bill sought to institutionalize.

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