The topic of transgender athletes is a thin line to walk on. When it comes to the inclusion of transgender athletes and the way to tackle their inclusivity, many people have different opinions regarding this. Some people believe that it is okay for transgender athletes to compete in the male and female divisions according to how they identify. While others feel that they should have their own platform in order to make it fair for other athletes and even for them. Fans and athletes are divided but OJ Simpson has made his views clear to fans.
The ex-NFL star has come forward to share light on the controversial topic of discussion. Simpson seems to have been following the discussion of transgender athletes very closely and has finally decided to share his opinion on the same.
OJ Simpson shares his two cents on transgender inclusivity
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The 76-year-old retired RB of the NFL had taken to Twitter to share his own thoughts on how transgenders can be included fairly in the world of sports. He talked about how he heard women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe talk about how she would have no problem competing against transgender women.
While OJ Simpson said that he is “all for it”, he went on to give the example of the South Carolina Senator who said, “What if Mike Tyson decides to identify as a female? Are you going to let him box women?” The ex-NFL star further went on to give a solution for the problem, stating, “If you’re born a male or a female, I don’t think it’s fair in sports to have them competing against one another. Give them their own category. Let trans compete against trans, female against the females and the male against the males”.
Sports should be equal and fair. pic.twitter.com/efsqiDpd7k
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) July 11, 2023
Just prior to Simpson’s comments, Megan Rapinoe spoke to Time magazine on Monday on the issue of transgender athletes.
Megan Rapinoe’s take on transgender athletes
Apart from playing soccer, Rapinoe has also been a vocal advocate of LGBTQ+ rights and equal pay. During the interview, Rapinoe stated that it’s “particularly frustrating when women’s sports is weaponized.”
Read more: Before ‘Fake News’, 76-Year-Old O. J. Simpson’s Son Crossed 2000 Miles to ‘Rescue’ His ‘Dying’ Dad
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She went on to talk about how the issue of trans people taking advantage of their situation in sports is not a common occurrence and is “not just happening.”
She further went on to criticize comedian Dave Chappelle, former tennis star Martina Navratilova, and anchor Sage Steele for indirectly inciting violence against transgenders. Rapinoe felt that if these people continue making jokes and talking about this issue, it leads to violence against trans people in the larger context.
What is your take on transgender inclusivity in sports? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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