Latest news with #Navratilova
Mint
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Oregon high school girls REFUSE to stand with trans athlete on podium — Martina Navratilova reacts
Two Oregon high school athletes made headlines over the weekend after refusing to share the winners' podium with a transgender competitor at the girls' high jump state championships. Reese Eckard (Sherwood High School) and Alexa Anderson (Tigard High School) stepped down from the podium after a transgender athlete placed fifth. Anderson had placed third, while Eckard took fourth. Tennis legend and outspoken advocate for women's sports, Martina Navratilova, responded strongly to the incident on X (formerly Twitter). "Women and girls are punished no matter what they do in this misogynistic world…" Navratilova wrote. She added, "Feminists never asked for this. At least not the great majority of us… never." Navratilova responded to the growing debate on X (formerly Twitter), emphasising that women are being unfairly targeted for protesting rules they didn't create. "Stop blaming women for this. Women do not make the rules," she replied to a social media user's post. "Majority of women are against it too. Women get punished no matter what they do." Addressing the consequences faced by athletes who refuse to compete under current regulations, Navratilova added: "Because not competing can get you banned from the sport. The rules must change, and those are made by men mostly." In a broader critique of gender dynamics in sport and society, Navratilova continued in another reply to a user's comment: "The world is misogynistic, the world is patriarchal, and most of the rules are made by men. And all of the danger comes from men." Navratilova has repeatedly criticised Democratic lawmakers for not acting to protect women's sports. Earlier this year, she condemned Democrats for blocking the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. "I hate that the Democrats totally failed women and girls on this very clear issue of women's sports being for females only," she said. Calling for stronger action, she urged: "Grow a spine." Navratilova referenced President Donald Trump's "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order, which was signed in February. She lamented that Democrats failed to support similar efforts. She questioned Democratic priorities, asking: "What are the Dems willing to give up for men who identify as trans? Abortion… the Constitution… rule of law… That's just for starters…" The incident and Navratilova's comments reignite an ongoing national debate around transgender participation in women's sports—a debate that continues to divide public figures, lawmakers, and athletic communities across the US.
Fox News
02-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova reacts as Oregon HS girls refuse to share podium with trans athlete
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova reacted to two Oregon high school athletes who refused to stand with a transgender athlete following the girls' high jump state championships on Saturday. Reese Eckard, of Sherwood High School, and Alexa Anderson, of Tigard High School, stepped down from the podium and refused to share the spot with the transgender athlete who finished in fifth place. Anderson finished in third and Eckard in fourth. Footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed an official confronting Eckard and Anderson. "Women and girls are punished no matter what they do in this misogynistic world…" Navratilova wrote on X. She added that "Feminists never asked for this. At least not the great majority of us… never." Navratilova has been a major voice in the effort to protect women's sports. She has been particularly critical of Democrats who have failed to step up to the plate, with their Republican colleagues, to help pass legislation to prohibit males from competing in girls' and women's sports. At the start of the year, Navratilova criticized Democratic lawmakers who killed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. The tennis legend called on Democrats to "grow a spine" in a post on social media. President Donald Trump signed the "No Men in Women's Sports" executive order in February, and Navratilova lamented that Democrats failed to do what the president did. "I hate that the Democrats totally failed women and girls on this very clear issue of women's sports being for females only," she wrote in a post on X. She then posed a question to Democrats as some states thumbed their nose at Trump's executive order. "What are the Dems willing to give up for men who identify as trans?" she asked on X. "Abortion… the Constitution… rule of law… That's just for starters…" Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova's Sons Seen for the First Time in 'RHOM' Season 7 Teaser Trailer
Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova's sons have made their reality TV debut. In a teaser trailer for season 7 of Real Housewives of Miami, the couple's two sons, whom they welcomed through adoption in 2024, could be seen in a quick clip as Lemigova lifts one of them from a car. The camera pans out to show her carrying one of the couple's sons, while in the background, Navratilova can be seen walking behind their other son. Alongside the couple's two sons, Lemigova is mom to daughters Victoria and Emma. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: RHOM's Julia Lemigova and Tennis Star Wife Martina Navratilova Welcome Two Sons: 'Over the Moon' Back in August, a rep for the couple confirmed to PEOPLE that they had welcomed two sons together through adoption after nearly 10 years of marriage. Navratilova and Lemigova, who tied the knot in 2014, were delighted and requested that they be given the space and privacy to welcome the new members of their family. "We are over the moon recognizing the challenges and the rewards for everybody," Navratilova shared in a statement with PEOPLE at the time. During season 5 of RHOM, Lemigova shared that she wanted to adopt a child with Navratilova since all of her girls had moved out. Their plans for adoption were halted when Navratilova was diagnosed with cancer. During the RHOM season 5 reunion, Lemigova told Cohen that it wasn't the right time for their family to adopt a baby. 'When you're adopting a child, it has to be about the child. And, right now, it's everything about Martina, and for her getting healthy. So, we're putting it on hold,' Lemigova said. 'You know, we were thinking any moment, the agency would call and give us happy news that we're going to have a baby ... instead we are fighting two cancers.' Navratilova announced that she was cancer-free in June 2023 and Lemigova told Page Six in December that they weren't 'closing the door" on their adoption plans quite yet. Read the original article on People
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
Famous Donald Trump critic changes her tune after hearing trans argument
Tennis icon and renowned Donald Trump critic Martina Navratilova has sided with the president over his decision to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports . The 78-year-old made a huge move to preserve the safety of female athletes in February by signing an executive order , named "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports", preventing biological men from competing in girls and women's sports teams and competitions, fulfilling a central promise of his 2024 campaign. The 47th U.S. President has come under heavy fire for his decision from members of the trans community but he has also received his fair share of support , with Navratilova now surprisingly being one of those. The 68-year-old, who herself is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, still disagrees with Trump on "everything" else, however. Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy's stunning mansion with Erica Stoll pictured, golf course next door Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll pictured returning to Florida after PGA Tour decision The nine-time Wimbledon singles champion has consistently expressed her opposition to transgender athletes competing against biological females, referring to them as "failed male athletes", despite facing severe backlash for her views. Nonetheless, Navratilova refuses to budge on the issue. "I disagree with Trump on everything but this issue... and for that I am called a Nazi... homophobe... bigot... the Democrats dropped the ball, Republicans ran with it, and it's a popular issue," Navratilova, who is also a lesbian and claims to have been "jettisoned' by LGBTQ+ advocates due to her stance, shared with The Daily T . "And Democrats are still doubling down. They're still not changing their mind," she continued. "But Trump is right on this. There should be no males in women's sports, period - pun kind of intended. Because it's obviously not fair." Former tennis star Martina Navratilova has performed a U-turn on her opinion of Donald Trump's trans policy (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images) Last week, the UK's Supreme Court made a landmark ruling that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex, a decision that was met with both applause and protests. In an extensive 88-page judgement, the Supreme Court justices stated: "The definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010 makes clear that the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man." This could have a significant impact on sports, as trans women holding a gender recognition certificate (GRC) can be excluded from single-sex spaces if it is deemed "proportionate". Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) , has since confirmed that trans women would not be allowed to participate in women's sports. In December, The Lawn Tennis Association banned trans women from national tournaments, but international competitions like Wimbledon and Queen's follow international guidelines on gender, an issue which Navratilova has already expressed her frustration towards. Navratilova has often been vocal on her opinions of Donald Trump "I've been talking to those bodies and they just do not listen," the former AP Female Athlete of the Year groaned. "Wimbledon, the Lawn Tennis Association, the International Tennis Federation and the Association of Tennis Professionals - it's a moving target, they keep changing the rules." Navratilova added that taking "a simple cheek swab test to prove you're female" would be a simple solution to solving whether you can or can't play in a female only tournament. She isn't alone in her stance, either, with Wimbledon icon Sue Barker also in support of a ban on self-identified trans women competing against biological females. Barker told The Telegraph last year that she is "definitely with Navratilova" if it means preventing taking away young girls' dreams, something former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines - who has emerged as a public face of the opposition to transgender athletes - is also doing her best to push.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Martina Navratilova backs Trump's ban on transgender athletes in women's sports, calls for cheek swab to prove sex
Martina Navratilova , the celebrated nine-time Wimbledon champion and one of the first openly lesbian athletes in professional sports has publicly expressed support for Donald Trump 's executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. Despite her strong political disagreements with Trump, the 68-year-old tennis icon believes the policy is 'obviously not fair,' referring to transgender women competing against biological females . "I disagree with Trump on everything but this issue," Navratilova told The Daily T, acknowledging the backlash she has faced for her position. "For that, I am called a Nazi, homophobe, bigot," she added, emphasizing the personal attacks she's endured. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo Navratilova, who has long been an outspoken critic of transgender athletes in women's sports, called these athletes "failed male athletes" and voiced concerns over fairness. In February, Trump signed an executive order titled 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports,' which has far-reaching implications, including potential changes in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The order mandates that the Department of Homeland Security reject visa applications from men attempting to enter the U.S. while identifying as women athletes. UK Supreme Court Ruling Adds Fuel to the Debate The ongoing debate was further ignited by a landmark ruling from the UK Supreme Court. Last week, the court upheld that the definition of "woman" is based on biological sex, creating a clear legal distinction between men and women in relation to sports and other gender-segregated spaces. This judgment, which defined sex as binary , either a man or a woman, has caused a stir, with both support and protests erupting across the UK. Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, explained that the ruling would prevent transgender women with a gender recognition certificate from competing in women's sports if deemed "proportionate." This aligns with the stance taken by many, including Navratilova, who insists that allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports undermines fairness. A Call for Clear Policies in Tennis In her critique of tennis organizations, Navratilova expressed frustration with the inconsistent policies on transgender athletes. She highlighted Wimbledon, the Lawn Tennis Association, and other governing bodies in tennis for not adopting a clear, consistent approach. "Just say female only, and you take a simple cheek swab test to prove you're female and you're done for the rest of your life," she suggested. Her calls for clearer rules are echoed by other figures within the sport, including Sue Barker, former tennis champion and BBC Wimbledon presenter. Barker has publicly supported Navratilova's position, stating, "I just think you take away the young girls' dreams, so I am definitely with Navratilova." Navratilova's Continued Support for the Ban Despite facing backlash from the LGBTQ+ community, Navratilova remains firm in her belief that transgender women should not compete against biological females in sports. She views Trump's ban as a necessary step toward fairness in competition. "There should be no males in women's sports, period, pun kind of intended," she said, reinforcing her stance on the issue. Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
