<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1655734272669,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"0000017a-bf0a-d0ae-abff-bf4b55780000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1655734272669,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"0000017a-bf0a-d0ae-abff-bf4b55780000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_55309821", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1033279"} }); ","_id":"00000181-8173-db25-adf7-f97bf2600000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedU.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe said sports come second to transgender lives.
“I think people also need to understand that sports is not the most important thing in life, right? Life is the most important thing in life,” Rapinoe, 36, said in an interview published Sunday. “And so much of this trans inclusion argument has been put through the extremely tiny lens of elite sports. Like that is not the way that we need to be framing this question.”
Conservative states are coming down hard on a small group of transgender children and pushing them to the edge, the two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner said.
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“They are committing suicide, because they are being told that they’re gross and different and evil and sinful and they can’t play sports with their friends that they grew up with. Not to mention trying to take away health care. I think it’s monstrous,” she said.
Those on the political Right are pushing a destructive narrative that is factually incorrect when it comes to transgender athletes, according to Rapinoe.
“Frankly, I think what a lot of people know is versions of the right’s talking points because they’re very loud. They’re very consistent, and they’re relentless,” she said. “At the highest level, there is regulation. In collegiate sports, there is regulation. And at the Olympic and professional level. It’s not like it’s a free-for-all where everyone’s just doing whatever.”
“Show me the evidence that trans women are taking everyone’s scholarships, are dominating in every sport, are winning every title. I’m sorry, it’s just not happening. So, we need to start from inclusion, period.”
Rapinoe has confidence that society will accept transgender athletes and become more inclusive, she said.
“We need to really kind of take a step back and get a grip on what we’re really talking about here because people’s lives are at risk. Kids’ lives are at risk with the rates of suicide, the rates of depression and negative mental health and drug abuse,” the soccer star said. “We’re putting everything through God forbid a trans person be successful in sports. Get a grip on reality and take a step back.”
Rapinoe did not comment on, nor was she asked, if she would be OK with transgender women joining her on the U.S. Women’s National Team.
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Rapinoe’s comments came the same day swimming’s governing body, FINA, announced the creation of an “open category,” in which transgender athletes will compete separately from biological women.
