Soccer star Megan Rapinoe defended biological males competing in female sports in an interview with Time Magazine published Sunday.
“I’m 100% supportive of trans inclusion,” Rapinoe said when asked about bills which banned biological males from competing in women and girls sports.
“Frankly, I think what a lot of people know is versions of the right’s talking points because they’re very loud,” Rapinoe continued. “They’re very consistent, and they’re relentless.”
Rapinoe told Time that sports was not as important as inclusivity of transgender athletes, and that the lives of trans kids were at stake in the debate. (RELATED: Victoria’s Secret Does Away With Angels, Brings Megan Rapinoe, Transgender Model And Others On Board)
“I would also encourage everyone out there who is afraid someone’s going to have an unfair advantage over their kid to really take a step back and think what are we actually talking about here,” Rapinoe said.
Great conversation about equal pay on The Limits with @realjaywilliams on @NPR. Check out the episode ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/2pFsEwKc7q
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) June 1, 2022
“We’re talking about people’s lives. I’m sorry, your kid’s high school volleyball team just isn’t that important. It’s not more important than any one kid’s life.”
Rapinoe also said opponents of her viewpoint should show “evidence” that their claim that biological males possessed an unfair advantage over females was true.
“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,” Rapinoe said.
In March, Lia Thomas, a biological male, beat his female competitors in a swimming competition by 1.75 seconds. When Thomas competed in male competitions, he ranked #463 nationally. Competing on the women’s team, Thomas ranked #1. (RELATED: Female Swimmer Says She And Her Teammates Are Uncomfortable Sharing Locker Room With Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas: REPORT)
In 2017, Rapinoe’s U.S. Women’s Soccer Team played the FC Dallas U-15 boys academy team. The adult women’s team was defeated 5-2 by the teenage boys.
The governing body for world swimming banned all biological females who “transitioned” after age 12 from competing in female sports Sunday.
“Classifying athletes on the basis of sex is necessary to meet FINA’s goals for female Aquatics athletes and the women’s competition category,” the organization said.