Megan Rapinoe, the revered U.S. soccer legend, is known for her fearless advocacy on behalf of transgender rights. In a thought-provoking feature for TIME Magazine ahead of the Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe addresses the critics who oppose transgender women participating in women’s sports, singling out Dave Chappelle, Martina Navratilova, and Sage Steele.
Rapinoe expresses her concerns about Chappelle’s jokes about trans people, emphasizing that such humor can fuel violence against the transgender community, whether it is in the form of verbal attacks or physical harm. She cautions that when individuals like Navratilova and Steele engage in this discourse, their words have a broader impact beyond the realm of elite sports, influencing societal attitudes towards transgender individuals.
Moreover, Rapinoe voices her frustration with the policies that specifically target transgender athletes. She questions the sudden concern for fairness and women’s sports, finding it disingenuous and dismissive of the struggles and experiences of transgender individuals. She challenges the notion that transgender people are maliciously taking advantage of their identity in sports, asserting that such claims are unfounded and do not reflect reality.
Rapinoe firmly supports inclusivity and acceptance, asserting that she would readily welcome a transgender woman on her team. She vehemently rejects the argument that having a transgender player would displace a “real” woman, labeling it as deeply transphobic. To Rapinoe, trans women are unequivocally genuine women deserving of respect and recognition.
Dave Chappelle faced backlash for his recent commentary on trans rights in his Netflix special “The Closer,” where he defended J.K. Rowling against accusations of transphobia. Rapinoe, on the other hand, has consistently used her platform to advocate for transgender rights and has been an instrumental figure in the success of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
Approaching her fourth and final World Cup, Rapinoe, at 38 years old, plans to retire from the National Women’s Soccer League after this season. While her on-field role may diminish, she will undoubtedly serve as a mentor and inspiration to younger players as they strive for a historic third consecutive World Cup victory.
Reflecting on her illustrious career, Rapinoe recognizes the profound impact soccer has had on her life and her ability to connect with remarkable individuals from around the world. Through her actions and outspokenness, Rapinoe has consistently taken a stand on various social issues, such as protesting racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem following Colin Kaepernick’s lead in 2016, publicly coming out as gay in 2012, and championing the cause of equal pay for the USWNT. In recognition of her tireless advocacy, President Joe Biden bestowed Rapinoe with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.
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