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Martina Navratilova and Aryna Sabalenka were lauded as ‘greats’ by a prominent Queer influencer after he came under fire for a controversial take on women who object to the presence of transgender athletes in women’s sports. Navratilova herself, who is firmly against the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports, later questioned the influencer’s stance amid the ongoing trans-athlete row in the WNBA.<\/p>\n
Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham’s comments on banning transgender athletes from the entire women’s sports space stirred a controversy that is still ongoing. Navratilova has repeatedly sided with Cunningham and defended her from critics and those who believe that transgender athletes should be allowed to compete with biological women.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n \nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Amid the ongoing row, Queer influencer Michael Buckley posted an Instagram Story with the following caption in the aftermath of his meeting with celebrated gymnast Simone Biles at the WNBA game between Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n “I said to Simone last night, “notice it’s always the mediocre white women who are complaining about trans athletes and never the black women who are historically the best athletes”. We were FIRED UP.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Subsequently, Jennifer Sey, the founder and CEO of athletic apparel brand XX-XY Athletics, which advocates for biological sex distinctions in athletics and the protection of women’s sports, criticized Buckley on X (formerly Twitter). Sey wondered if Buckley would describe tennis legend Martina Navratilova and current World No. 1 women’s tennis player Aryna Sabalenka as ‘mediocre white women’. Both Navratilova and Sabalenka have spoken up about protecting women’s sports.<\/p>\n “I’m wondering if @HeyBuckHey would call @Martina a mediocre white woman? Or @SabalenkaA ? Both support protecting women’s sports with testing for sex. Martina one of the best women’s tennis players ever. Of all time. Aryna ranked No.1 right now. Will go down as one of the best ever,” Sey wrote<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Buckley soon responded to Sey, claiming that the X post by the XX-XY Athletics founder and CEO was an attempt to ‘rile up’ her followers against him. He also laid bare his respect for Navratilova and Sabalenka, writing<\/a>:<\/p>\n “I was being sassy but yes let’s get your followers riled up about this some more. Nothing but respect to Martina and Aryna. Two of the GREATS indeed!”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/p>\n
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