Martina Navratilova, the legendary tennis star, has sparked an ongoing debate on Twitter with transgender activists after she defended former swimming champion Riley Gaines on her comments about changing in locker rooms with trans-identifying male swimmers.
The debate started after Gaines appeared on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast and spoke about her experience in the locker room. When asked to describe the trans-identifying male swimmer’s genitals, Gaines replied that she tried to avert her gaze and discussed the discomfort of being in the locker room with a male.
.@Riley_Gaines_ I’ve managed to refrain from looking at the genitals of every single person I’ve ever been in a changing room with. I didn’t realise it was a challenge for some@jamesreinl you can have that as an exclusive too if you like https://t.co/973uwdQcUv
— Katy Montgomerie 🦗 (@KatyMontgomerie) August 6, 2023
Following the podcast, a transgender activist mocked Gaines’ statements. Navratilova commented, defending the former swimmer. She expressed her concern for 10-year-old girls who find themselves in locker rooms with trans-identifying males, asking them to “not look there and hopefully, that person won’t look at you either.”
Her comment was criticized by transgender activists who argued that her post was “fascist” and attempted to control bodies. Navratilova further argued that the issue is not about controlling bodies but having sex-based women’s spaces. She noted that, historically, men have controlled women’s bodies for thousands of years and pointed to facts showing that biological men commit most sexual assaults.
Overall, Navratilova’s statements have set off a firestorm online, with many transgender activists disagreeing with her stance. Her comments have also sparked broader conversations about the issue of gender identity and locker room safety for women and girls. Some have also argued that allowing trans-identifying males into women’s locker rooms may present a risk that should not be ignored. Nevertheless, the ongoing debate remains contested by both sides.