Transphobic Tweet from Lesbian Tennis Legend?
Martina Navratilova sparked outrage with a tweet in which she commented on trans athletes "compet[ing] against women," reports Yahoo.com.
"You can't just proclaim yourself a female and be able to compete against women," the now-deleted tweet from Navratilova reportedly read. "There must be some standards, and having a penis and competing as a woman would not fit that standard."
The tweet went on to say, "For me it's all about fairness. Which means taking every case individually... there is no cookie cutter way of doing things."
The 62-year-old openly lesbian tennis legend, who hails from Czechoslovakia, deleted the original tweet and offered an apology when her comments drew pushback and accusations that the star athlete's remarks were transphobic. Later on, at a different thread, she tweeted, "I am totally and completely pro-trans people or any part of the spectrum. I do not wish to define anyone. All I want is fairness on the playing field. That is it. How we get to that is a discussion for the ages..."
You got that right. To all the people on this thread- I am totally and completely pro- trans people or any part of the spectrum. I do not wish to define anyone. All I want is fairness on the playing field. That is it. How we get to that is a discussion for the ages...— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) December 20, 2018
New Zealand media outlet Stuff reported that a Canadian trans athlete called Rachel McKinnon called Navratilova out on her comments. McKinnon, 36, is no stranger to controversy herself; after winning a world championship in track cycling sporting event last autumn, she was the target of a Breitbart article and subsequent frenzy of online hatred. Her case led to an op-ed on the issue of trans athletes at Velonews.
McKinnon is an advocate of trans athletes, and of trans people generally, while Navratilova, also known for her advocacy, is regarded as an icon in the LGBTQ world. Something of a spat broke out between the two, with McKinnon chiding Navratilova in a tweet that read, "No, you are not 'pro-trans people' if you say that trans women with a penis must not compete in women's sport. That's transphobic."
Added McKinnon, "Genitals do not play sports. What part of a penis is related to tennis?"
No, you are not "pro- trans people" if you say that trans women with a penis must not compete in women's sport. That's transphobic.
Genitals do not play sports. What part of a penis is related to tennis? How does that 'level' any playing field? https://t.co/h7ZLsCVOQy— Dr. Rachel McKinnon (@rachelvmckinnon) December 20, 2018
McKinnon then challenged Navratilova with, "You realise I'm a world champion trans woman athlete?"
The tennis legend jabbed back, answering, "Rachel, you might be an expert on all things trans but you are one nasty human being."
UK newspaper The Telegraph reported that Navratilova made reference to being "bullied," and went on to lament, "it seems to be [the case] my decades of speaking out against unfairness and inequality just don't count with you at all".
To that, McKinnon replied, "It doesn't change the fact that you did something very wrong today. Past good deeds don't give someone a pass."
The Telegraph addressed the controversy of trans athletes directly, noting, "McKinnon and other trans activists claim that taking testosterone-blockers and estrogen as part of the transition process reduces muscle mass, strength and speed and therefore removes any physical advantage.
"They also argue that being heavier or taller is not necessarily an advantage in many sports."