Jennifer Say Critiques ACLU and Megan Rapinoe Over Support for Transgender Athletes
Former gymnast Jennifer Say has expressed her discontent towards the ACLU and Megan Rapinoe after the organization shared a video advocating for transgender individuals’ right to participate in women’s sports and spaces. The ACLU had recently represented transgender athletes in a Supreme Court case, and the video was part of its “More Than a Game” campaign aimed at supporting these athletes. The organization’s website emphasizes the importance of recognizing young people as transgender and allowing them the freedom to “be themselves.”
The video claims, “Supporting transgender youth is more than just sports. It’s freedom,” and features prominent athletes including Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and Brianna Turner.
Say, a national gymnastics champion and the founder of an activewear brand, XX-XY Athletics, which supports women’s sports, expressed her anger after watching the video. “Sports is not like that. Sports is competition. Sports is not about inclusivity. Not everyone makes the team,” she remarked.
She added, “Sports are about competing and striving to be better, and it’s about self-reliance and picking yourself up when you’re down. Sports aren’t free. Sports have rules. Three strikes and you’re out. I don’t know what these people are saying and how they understand the idea that sports are not competitive.”
Say highlighted that men possess biological advantages over women, which she believes surpass the effects of performance-enhancing drugs. She suggested that Rapinoe, known for her competitive spirit and past achievements, would have wanted fairness on the field during her playing days. “She’s just so competitive. It frustrates me that she seems to be disregarding that competitive edge for others,” Say stated. “I doubt she would have accepted someone using performance enhancers for an unfair advantage.”
Say continued by stating that the ACLU has redefined the purpose of sports to focus on “self-expression” instead of competition and hard work. She feels that those who believe in biological realities need to oppose radical gender ideologies and reclaim cultural narratives. “They’re asking girls to erase themselves and do it with a smile,” she remarked.
The ACLU and Rapinoe did not provide a comment in response to inquiries before this article’s publication.
