‘We’re talking about kids. We’re talking about people’s lives’
Megan Rapinoe has come out to voice her support for transgender athletes following what she described as a “monstrous” decision to ban transgender women from female swimming events on Sunday.
Speaking to TIME magazine following the new rules set out by the international swimming federation FINA – which now means that competitors like Lia Thomas can no longer compete in the sport’s elite events – the 36-year-old US footballer once again reaffirmed her support for the movement for better inclusion in sport.
Similar regulations have already been installed in British women’s cycling and former Olympic decathlete Bruce Jenner was one of the first to defend this latest announcement, declaring “fair is fair”.
The new rules bar transgender athletes who have gone through puberty from competing in women's eventshttps://t.co/PtA1VBKtFV
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) June 20, 2022
“I’m 100% supportive of trans inclusion”, said Rapinoe, suggesting that “so much of this trans-inclusion argument has been put through the extremely tiny lens of elite sports” but that the discussion is actually much more complicated: “We’re talking about kids. We’re talking about people’s lives.
“We’re talking about the entire state government coming down on one child in some states, three children in some states,” she went on to say. “They are committing suicide, because they are being told that they’re gross and different and evil and sinful and they can’t play sports with their friends that they grew up with. I think it’s monstrous.”
‘Show me the evidence’
She also encouraged those using the example of their children’s sports team to take a step back and look at the bigger picture – and for those in charge of legislation to provide more data showing that there has been any infringement on the sanctity of the sport.
“Show me the evidence that trans women are taking everyone’s scholarships, are dominating in every sport, are winning every title,” she said. “I’m sorry, it’s just not happening. So we need to start from inclusion, period. We can’t start at the opposite. That is cruel. And frankly, it’s just disgusting.”
In fact, a study conducted earlier this year challenged the suggestion that the likes of Thomas had an unfair advantage in her sport, as the data seemed to suggest that she was actually closer to breaking records in male events before she transitioned.
Rapinoe previously criticised Jenner for her vocal opposition to transgender women in competitive sports last year, remarking, “You were an exceptional athlete…you’re not an exceptional politician”.
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