Margaret Court slams transgender athletes in women's sports: 'Wish they never put the T on the end of it'
Australian tennis legend Margaret Court courted controversy again after she slammed transgender athletes during a sermon at her Perth church. She reportedly told the worshippers at the Victory of Life Centre in Perth on Sunday that LGBT lessons in schools were "of the devil". Her statement comes just days before the 24-time Grand Slam singles winner is set to be honored at the Australian Open.
"And you know with that LGBT, they'll wish they never put the T on the end of it because, particularly in women's sports, they're going to have so many problems," Court said, according to 9News. "And you have got young people taking hormones and having changes, by the time they are 17 they are thinking, 'Now I'm a boy and really I was a girl'. Because, you know what, God's made us that way."
The tennis star had first talked about the LGBTQ issues in 2017, when she slammed same-sex marriage in an open letter. "If we continue to dismantle the traditional family unit as old fashioned, archaic and no longer even necessary or relevant, we will create a fatherless generation," Court had written in her widely-condemned letter. "Indeed, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred as the march towards such partnerships, even gay marriage, is fuelled by minority voices rising in opposition to respected Christian beliefs which many cultures also believe."
Tennis Australia has invited Court to the Australian Open 2020 to mark her 50th anniversary to mark her contribution to the game. The association, however, openly distanced itself from the 77-year-old's controversial views.
The organization, in a statement, wrote: "Tennis Australia respects Margaret's unmatched tennis career and welcomes her to the Australian Open, particularly in this milestone anniversary year. As often stated, Tennis Australia does not agree with Margaret's personal views, which have demeaned and hurt many in our community over a number of years. They do not align with our values of equality, diversity, and inclusion."
"Our sport welcomes everyone, no matter what gender, ability, race, religion or sexuality, and we will continue to actively promote inclusion initiatives widely at all levels of the sport," the statement added.