Griner is cisgender. She told Sports Illustrated in 2013 that “I’m a lesbian.” Griner believes, “Everyone deserves the right to play.”
Griner has spoken out in support of transgender athletes, and she has said that she believes everyone should have the right to play sports in accordance with their gender identity. She has also said that she does not believe transgender athletes have an unfair advantage in sports.
Ultimately, only Brittney Griner knows her own gender identity. It is important to respect her privacy and to avoid making assumptions about her gender identity based on her appearance or her athletic abilities.
Dispelling the Rumors Surrounding Brittney Griner’s Gender
Recent News and Public Reactions
Brittney Griner made headlines in June 2023 when she was harassed by a man at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The man, who was described as a social media “provocateur”, was yelling at her about “the Merchant of Death”, a nickname was given to Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was involved in a prisoner swap that freed Griner from Russia in late 2022. Griner had spent nearly 300 days in Russian custody after being caught with vape cartridges containing cannabis oil, which is illegal in Russia. The man was tackled by security personnel and law enforcement was involved.
The incident sparked outrage and concern among Griner’s fans, teammates, and fellow athletes, who called for better security measures for WNBA players. Griner’s teammate Brianna Turner tweeted: “Player safety while traveling should be at the forefront. People following with cameras saying wild remarks is never acceptable. Excessive harassment. Our team nervously huddled in a corner unsure how to move about.” The WNBA said in a statement that it was looking into the incident and that it was “committed to the highest standards of security for players”.
A Glimpse into Griner’s Basketball Career
Nine-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner is a two-time Olympic gold champion with the U.S. women’s basketball team. She won the 2014 WNBA title with Phoenix Mercury. Only one NCAA basketball player has scored 2,000 points and blocked 500 shots. She led the Baylor Lady Bears to a 2012 national title and received the AP Player of the Year, Wade Trophy Player of the Year, and Honda Sports Award. The Phoenix Mercury drafted her first overall in 2013. China and Russia were her professional playing destinations.
Griner is considered one of the greatest women’s basketball players and a global influencer. In 2023, Time named her one of the 100 most important people worldwide. LGBTQ+ rights, anti-bullying, and mental health awareness are her causes. In her biography “In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court”, she recounted her difficulties and successes.
Addressing the Persistent Rumors
Brittney Griner’s Bold Response
Despite her achievements and contributions, Brittney Griner has faced many rumors and comments suggesting that she was born a man or that she is transgender. These rumors stem from her physical appearance, her deep voice, and her sexuality. Griner has publicly challenged these rumors and expressed her confidence in her identity. In 2015, she posed nude for ESPN Magazine’s “Body Issue”, where she said: “I’ve heard, ‘Oh, she’s not a female, she’s a male.’ I’ve been told, ‘Oh, she’s tucking stuff.’ They thought I was tucking. I mean, [in the Body Issue] it’s out there. Let me show that I embrace the flatness! I just want people to see somebody who embraces being naked, embraces everything about them being different.”
Griner has also stated that she never felt like she was born in the wrong body or that she wanted to change her gender. In a 2013 interview with Elle magazine, she said: “I’m just being myself, honestly.” She also revealed that she came out as a lesbian when she was in high school, but her father did not accept her and forced her to live with an assistant coach for six weeks during her senior year. She said that she faced bullying and discrimination because of her size and sexuality since childhood.
Debunking the Misconceptions
The rumors surrounding Brittney Griner’s gender are based on misconceptions and stereotypes about what it means to be a woman or a lesbian. These rumors are not only disrespectful and hurtful to Griner but also to other women who do not conform to the traditional norms of femininity. Griner’s gender identity and expression are not determined by her appearance, her voice, or her sexual orientation. She is a woman who loves other women, and that does not make her less of a woman.
Griner is not transgender, and she does not need to prove her gender to anyone. She is proud of who she is and how she looks, and she does not let the rumors affect her self-esteem or her performance. She is an inspiration to many people who struggle with their identity or face discrimination because of their differences. She is a role model for young girls who want to pursue their dreams and passions, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Confrontation at the Dallas Airport
The Web of Misleading Reports
Brittney Griner was attacked at the Dallas airport by a guy who wanted to agitate and harass her. A YouTuber who has made contentious and insulting comments about celebrities and public figures was recognized. Several social media networks banned him for breaking their terms of service. His acts have led to various legal conflicts and lawsuits.
He pretended to interview Griner about her role in the prisoner trade that liberated her from Russia, but he was mocking and insulting her. He called Viktor Bout, the Russian armaments merchant traded for Griner in late 2022, “the Merchant of Death”. Bout received a 25-year U.S. sentence in 2011 for planning to murder Americans and sell weapons to Colombian guerrillas. Republicans accused the Biden administration of releasing a dangerous criminal to Russia in the prisoner deal.
The individual used misinformation on social media and conservative websites to connect Griner to Bout. These claims alleged Griner was a Bout spy or agent engaged in illicit weaponry trafficking. Fake news with no proof or believability. Griner had already suffered enough from being unfairly held in Russia for about 300 days. A slander campaign targeted him.
He did something wrong, hazardous, and unlawful. He invaded Griner’s privacy and safety and disturbed airport order. He was also insensitive to Griner’s gender, sexuality, and basketball career. Security and police should have tackled and arrested him.
Miss Griner is not trans. She has surmounted numerous obstacles and scandals. She is a world-class basketball player with several accolades. A proud lesbian, she has championed LGBTQ+ rights and other issues. After being unfairly jailed in Russia, she returned. She deserves respect and decency.
