In response to a hearing titled “Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans,” tennis great Martina Navratilova tweeted a few words. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy questioned Democratic witness Kelley Robinson on the potential biological edge men have over women in sports. Robinson, who is LGBT and Black and who heads the Human Rights Campaign, dodged the issue by referring to a news story about males who think they can beat Serena Williams at tennis.
Navratilova tweeted in reaction, “This is just sad.” Riley Gaines quoted her in her opening statement and thanked her for being an influential influence despite the fact that she was unable to attend the hearing.
Navratilova has long been an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, even as she won nine Wimbledon titles. But she has spoken out against transgender athletes competing with biological female athletes. She praised World Athletics in March for its regulation barring transgender women from competing in women’s events, which she saw as a positive development.
Navratilova suggested developing categories for “biological females” and “biological girls” and an “open” category that would be inclusive of all genders in an opinion piece published in The Times of the UK. According to her, careful categorization is necessary for both maintaining justice and addressing the physical advantages gained via male puberty. Navratilova said she hoped other sports organizations would adopt World Athletics’ progressive policies.