Last updated on October 9th, 2024 at 08:33 am
Tennis great Martina Navratilova has passionately defended a coach who wore a hat representing a pro-women athletic brand accused of “transphobia”. Jason Stacy, Aryna Sabalenka’s coach, wore an ‘XX-XY Athletics’ hat at the 2024 US Open, triggering a wave of controversy. The brand name derives from the male and female chromosomes, XY and XX respectively, and was established by former Levi’s president Jennifer Sey. The brand emphasizes protecting women’s sports and ensuring fairness by criticizing the involvement of trans males in women’s sports.
Navratilova’s firm defense commended Stacy for his support of women’s sports, stating that supporting women is not a hateful act. XX-XY’s mission to guard women’s sports, according to Navratilova, is a necessary and commendable cause. Riley Gaines, a former female college swimmer and an ambassador for the brand, supports this mission by advocating the preservation of women’s sports for biological women only.
Navratilova further elaborated on her stance by reposting a comparison between trans-identifying male volleyball player, Blaire Fleming, and female players at a volleyball game. She called out the unfairness of amateur male players overpowering hardworking female athletes, deeming it hazardous and unsustainable. According to Navratilova, if this issue persists, numerous deserving female athletes could be overshadowed.
Navratilova has been a longstanding opponent of allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports and has often shared this sentiment. She pithily stated that women’s sports should not be a platform for mediocre male athletes passing off as females. This assertive view has soared in popularity online, amassing over 2 million views, and further showcasing Navratilova’s staunch and unwavering stance on this issue.