Megan Rapinoe Questions Motives Behind Efforts to Protect Women’s Sports
Former U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe has sparked a significant public debate by questioning the motives behind movements seeking to safeguard women’s sports from transgender inclusion. During a recent episode of her podcast with Basketball Hall of Famer Sue Bird, Rapinoe addressed the controversy that emerged following an op-ed by Angel City FC’s Elizabeth Eddy. Eddy’s column, which called on the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to adopt stringent gender standards through testing, ignited intense discussions across the sports community. Supporters and critics alike weighed in on whether such measures were necessary or discriminatory, highlighting the growing polarization surrounding the issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Rapinoe took particular issue with the New York Post’s use of a photo of Orlando Pride player Barbra Banda in Eddy’s op-ed. Banda had been removed from the Zambian national team in 2022 after failing to meet sex eligibility requirements, a decision that sparked debates about the fairness of such policies. Rapinoe expressed frustration with the Save Women’s Sports movement, questioning whether their efforts were genuinely about protecting women or if they were driven by fear and misinformation. She pointed out the irony of the NWSL’s lack of transgender athletes, suggesting that the movement’s claims of exclusion were disingenuous.
During the episode, Rapinoe also drew parallels between the experiences of transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals and those of former U.S. men’s soccer star Landon Donovan, who recently opened up about his new hairpiece in The Athletic. Rapinoe highlighted the similarities between Donovan’s pursuit of self-acceptance and the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ communities in their quest for rights and inclusion. For Rapinoe, the broader issue transcends sports, addressing the fundamental right for individuals to live authentically in their bodies and to be recognized for who they are. She emphasized that the fight for inclusion is not about gender identity but about the basic human need to exist in one’s own skin, a principle she believes is life-changing and, at times, life-saving.
The discussion underscores the ongoing national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports, a topic that has gained heightened attention due to evolving legal and social dynamics. As the conversation continues, the perspectives of athletes like Rapinoe and others in the sports community will likely play a crucial role in shaping future policies and public perception.