Former NCAA star swimmer Riley Gaines has taken issue with Brittney Griner’s comments about the involvement of transgender athletes in sports.
Griner, the Phoenix Mercury star who made her first media appearance before the start of the 2023 WNBA season, called it a «crime» to «separate someone for any reason» when asked about state legislation that has as The goal is to prevent transgender athletes from competing against athletes of the gender with which they identify.
«Which NBA team would have @brittneygriner as seemingly overwhelming and obvious differences between men and women should simply be overlooked? Heartbreaking to see athletically successful women take this demeaning stance,» Gaines tweeted Sunday.
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Brittney Griner speaks to the media on April 27, 2023 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
«And if we’re going to talk about crimes, Brittney…»
Griner made his comments Thursday.
«That’s high on the list of things I will fight for and speak out against,» Griner said when asked by an ESPN reporter about advocating for transgender athletes. «Everybody deserves the right to play. Everybody deserves the right to come here, sit in these seats and feel safe, and not feel like there’s a threat, or that they can’t be who they are, or that all eyes are on them.» . .»
«Honestly, I think it’s a crime to separate someone for any reason. So I’ll definitely speak out against that legislation and the laws that are trying to get passed, for sure.»
BRITTNEY GRINER RULES OUT PLAYING ABROAD IN THE FUTURE UNLESS SHE REPRESENTS THE UNITED STATES AT THE OLYMPICS
Brittney Griner, left, and Riley Gaines (Reuters/fake images)
On Wednesday, the executive board of the Kansas State High School Activities Association voted that high schools and high schools must see the first birth certificates of transgender athletes to decide which teams they can play for.
The Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act passed in the House last week, which aims to prevent biological men from competing in girls’ and women’s sports.
«Today is a great day for America, for justice, for families, and most importantly, for athletes,» said House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. «House Republicans promised before the last election our commitment to America for women and girls in sports. Today we deliver on that promise.»
President Joe Biden has said he will veto the bill if it reaches his desk.
Griner was arrested in February 2022 for bringing vape cartridges containing hashish oil through a Moscow airport. She was found guilty of the offense in what was described as a show trial.
Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner is congratulated on a play against the Seattle Storm in the WNBA playoffs, on September 26, 2021, in Everett, Washington. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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In December, Russia released her as part of a prisoner swap for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Fox News’ Joe Morgan contributed to this report.