Martina Navratilova has been one of the most fearless tennis players in the history of the game. She is still an outspoken activist for the game and LGBTQIA rights. Navratilova is firm on her beliefs and expresses them openly on platform X. The 59-time grand slam winner showed her anger on platform X when slamming Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The astrophysicist was talking about gender identity and gender fluidity. He said that the chromosomes don’t play a role in our gender identity, and we could wake up today feeling like a man or a woman. Navratilova mentioned that it was hard to watch the video and said, “Neil Tyson is completely clueless while trying to sound knowledgeable and reasonable,” Tyson’s take on both topics neglected basic human biology.
Ok- I forced myself to watch this whole thing and all I can say is Neil Tyson is completely clueless while trying to sound knowledgeable and reasonable. https://t.co/PvEfz5b1Hj
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 25, 2023
The 64-year-old relied on human cosmetics rather than biology. Tyson also pushed on the fact that trans women should be allowed in female sports. Trans women competing in female sports has raised several controversies in the sports field. With the question of undue advantage for the athletes, Navratilova has been against the policy.
Martina Navratilova believes in excluding trans women in women’s sports
Many examples exist where transgender women have broken records in women’s sports. In 2019, Athlete Ally, an LGBTQIA+ group, removed Martina Navratilova as an ambassador and advisory board member. They labelled the 66-year-old as transphobic, accusing her of targeting trans athletes based on a misunderstanding of science and data.
Former player Billie Jean King has been an active supporter of trans women, but Navratilova refuses to change her stance. She continues to oppose transgender women in sports, calling it a form of cheating and expressing her dissatisfaction. Navratilova suggests that sports should have an open category alongside male and female categories. In contrast, King agrees that they have to be accepted into women’s categories.
It just doesn’t stop… isn’t it odd how the massive majority of these kind of situations is MTF trans , not FTM trans. I wonder why… https://t.co/GYNzKa9qmz
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 27, 2023
On the other hand, the LGBTQIA+ forum, which Navratilova identifies with as an activist, is displeased with her. They argue that all athletes, including trans women, deserve a place in the sports field. Moreover, they believe Navratilova should empathize with trans women, who often face ridicule when entering sporting events. The tennis legend has always been stern in her perspective.