'Just like ultra conservatives': Tennis star Martina Navratilova slammed over transphobic views after she calls a critic 'gay boy'
NEW YORK, NEW YORK CITY: Tennis star Martina Navratilova recently slammed a social media user who called her out over her views on transgender people. Navratilova has been outspoken against transgender women competing in female sports.
She has often voiced her opinions on her social media platforms. However, the Tennis star's criticism backfired after she received backlash over her views on transgender broadcaster India Willoughby, with the user calling Navratilova's opinions "hateful" and "bigoted".
A user on X wrote, "Navratilova is one of these irritating people who thinks she speaks for her entire gender. Her hateful, bigoted opinions are very much in the minority, though. Most women support trans people because they've been through a lot of oppression themselves and sympathise."
However, Navratilova slammed the critic by calling him a "gay boy". She responded, "Lol. Bye gay boy :), try again."
She further added, "I won't waste my time trying to justify what I stand for to you. But I will say this- I have never said on behalf of all anything. So spew your BS somewhere else. I was out before you were born probably, long before it was ok to do so."
Martina Navratilova faces backlash
Martina Navratilova has been very open about her views on transgender and women’s rights in sports.
The tennis legend has been under constant criticism for her take on protecting women's sports by excluding transgender female athletes from participating in the same category as biological women.
Navratilova has been no stranger to the challenges and controversies that women face in sports. She came out as a lesbian in 1981 and has been a vocal advocate for lesbian and gay rights, as well as for women’s equality and empowerment in sports.
Meanwhile, Navratilova received a lot of backlash for her comments toward someone who criticized her opinion on transgender athletes.
A Reddit user said, "Her trans views are disgusting but as a gay boy the random “gay boy” from a 70yo woman sent me ngl."
Another user added, "But she’s a lesbian why is she calling someone “gay boy” likeeee???"
"She’s one of the prime examples of people whose lives transphobia just completely takes over," noted another person.
Another critic wrote, "'Gay boy'? wtf?????? okay lesbian girl 😒."
Another social media user penned, "Also known as a woman who HATES trans people and uses protecting women as an excuse for it. Just like ultra conservatives who hate gays and trans people and want to protect everyone from them. Including Martina."
Martina Navratilova criticizes magazine for denying sex-based differences among athletes
Martina Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 59 major titles overall, recently criticized the popular science magazine Scientific American for publishing an article that claimed there are no sex-based differences between male and female athletes.
The article argued that the gender gap in sports performance is not due to biological factors, but to social and cultural biases. Navratilova took to social media to express her outrage and disbelief at the magazine's stance and accused them of ignoring facts and reality and promoting a political agenda.
She tweeted, "Hey @sciam - how the h*ll can you print this utter nonsense??? I mean how dare you. A name change is needed to Unscientific American."
Martina Navratilova speaks against UN Women's endorsement of trans lesbians
Martina Navratilova recently expressed her displeasure on social media toward the United Nations Women for their views on the contentious issue of transgender lesbians.
The United Nations Women made a declaration on October 8, coinciding with International Lesbian Day, asserting that transgender lesbians should be regarded in the same light as lesbians. But Martina appeared to be fumed by UN Women lumping together transgender and cisgender lesbians.
The Tennis star criticized the organization, alleging that it is attempting to exert control over every facet of a woman’s identity.
She tweeted, "So now they are redefining what a lesbian is too??? The only word that belonged to women without being tied to men? I hate these people trying to control literally every aspect of what a woman is and of womanhood."
