Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been called ‘transphobic’ by a transexual rights organisation following an article she wrote on the subject.
The 18-time grand slam champion has said that transgender athletes are ‘cheating’ and creates an unfair playing ground. Navratilova first came under fire over the subject in December. On social media she wrote to one person on Twitter ‘You can’t just proclaim yourself a female and be able to compete against women.’ Sparking backlash from some, including transgender activist and competitive cyclist Dr Rachel McKinnon.
https://twitter.com/rachelvmckinnon/status/1075841663673778176
Speaking about the subject in her editorial, the 62-year-old refuses to back down over her opinion on the topic. Saying that she ‘would not be happy’ to compete against a transgender athlete. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allows transgender people to play in sport, but trans women have to demonstrate that their testosterone level is below a certain level for at least a year prior to competition. There are no such rules in place for trans men.
“To put the argument at its most basic: a man can decide to be female, take hormones if required by whatever sporting organisation is concerned, win everything in sight and perhaps earn a small fortune, and then reverse his decision and go back to making babies if he so desires.” The former world No.1 wrote.
“It’s insane and it’s cheating. I am happy to address a transgender woman in whatever form she prefers, but I would not be happy to compete against her. It would not be fair.”
UK organisation Trans Actual responded to the article by writing that they are ‘devastated to discover that Martina Navratilova is transphobic.’ Although the former tennis player also wrote later in her article that transexual athletes ‘rarely enjoy a competitive advantage.’
“Let me make a critical distinction between transgender and transsexual athletes. Transsexuals have decided to change their gender and have had the deed done, surgically. They have made the full commitment. They are few in number and rarely enjoy a competitive advantage.” She outlined.
Navratilova is regarded as a pioneer and an icon regarding LGBT rights in the world of tennis. Coming out as gay in 1981 during a time where it was extremely rare for a world class athlete to do so. She also formed a close friendship with Renee Richards, who was the world’s first transexual tennis player. Richards was her coach during the early 1980s.
Speaking of Richards, Navratilova compared her previous struggles to that of middle distance runner Caster Semanya. Semanya is in a legal battle with the IAAF, who wants athletes with high levels of testosterone to undergo hormone therapy. Although controversially the IAAF is applying the rule to only events ranging from 400M to one-mile, which Semanya competes in. Semanya was born with hyperandrogenism, which is a medical condition when a female has above average levels of male sex hormones.
“Semenya, Richards and many others have been subject to vilification, ostracism and the awful human inclination to identify anyone who is different and start a witch hunt.” Navratilova concluded.
“I also deplore what seems to be a growing tendency among transgender activists to denounce anyone who argues against them and to label them all as “transphobes”. That’s just another form of tyranny.” She later added.
