Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines is criticizing WNBA star Brittney Griner over her stance on transgender athletes and women’s sports.
On Sunday, Gaines shared a clip of Griner responding to a question about transgender athletes.
“Which NBA team would have [Griner] since apparently the overwhelming, obvious differences between men and women should simply be overlooked?” she asked.
Gaines added, “Heartbreaking to see athletically successful women take this demeaning stance.”
Which NBA team would have @brittneygriner since apparently the overwhelming, obvious differences between men and women should simply be overlooked? Heartbreaking to see athletically successful women take this demeaning stance.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 30, 2023
And if we're going to talk about crimes, Brittney… https://t.co/cZpWYQShRI
On Thursday, Griner was asked whether she will advocate against laws limiting women’s sports to biological females.
“That ranks high on the list of things I’ll be fighting for and speaking up against,” Griner responded.
She continued, “Everyone deserves the right to play. Everyone deserves the right to come here, sit in these seats, and feel safe. And not feel like there’s the threat, or they can’t be who they are, or like it’s just all eyes on them.”
Finally, she added, “I think it’s a crime honestly to separate someone for any reason. So, I definitely will be speaking up against that legislation and those laws that are trying to be passed, for sure.”
In case you missed it:
Brittney Griner claims it’s a “crime” to stop biological males from being able to compete against women in sports. pic.twitter.com/CTM9mV9nDz
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) April 28, 2023
Gaines has been speaking out about the issue since she tied transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the NCAA championships in 2022.
Earlier this month, Gaines criticized women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe for her position on transgender athletes.
She shared a tweet from Rapinoe about a “trans [and] intersex sports ban,” and wrote, “It’s worth noting that 1) you’re done with your athletic career and 2) because you aren’t sexually attracted to men, it’s unlikely you will ever have a daughter to defend.”
I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone is entitled to think/speak
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 11, 2023
independently, but I can't help but think Megan Rapinoe would genuinely shiv any male who tried to take her spot on the US Women's National Team.
She added, “I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone is entitled to think/speak independently, but I can’t help but think Megan Rapinoe would genuinely shiv any male who tried to take her spot on the US Women’s National Team.”