Sam Ponder to the rescue.
ESPN broadcaster Sam Ponder came to the defense of her colleague Sage Steele after U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe criticized Steele’s comments about transgender participation in women’s sports.
Rapinoe accused Steele of discussing fairness and equality in women’s sports as a disguise for mistreating transgender individuals.
She also compared jokes about transgender people to violence.
Ponder disagreed with Rapinoe’s viewpoint, stating that blaming Steele for violence is an attempt to stifle open and respectful discussion.
“Sage says bio males shouldn’t compete in female sports and now she’s to blame for violence? This is an attempt to silence good-faith discussion and debate,” she wrote on Twitter. “Disagree passionately, say she’s wrong (& why)… but to claim she is responsible for violence is absurd.”
Sage says bio males shouldn’t compete in female sports and now she’s to blame for violence? This is an attempt to silence good-faith discussion and debate. Disagree passionately, say she’s wrong (& why)… but to claim she is responsible for violence is absurd.
— Samantha Steele Ponder (@samponder) July 11, 2023
Steele supported Ponder’s stance, highlighting the importance of basing arguments on facts and science.
Steele added: “Yes Sam…it’s absurd. And predictable! This is what happens when ppl allow their emotions to get in the way of FACTS & SCIENCE. Esp when they’re fighting to keep a false narrative alive. You said it best after (USA Today columnist Nancy) Armour attacked you: ‘biology is not bigotry.’”
Yes Sam…it's absurd.
And predictable!
This is what happens when ppl allow their emotions to get in the way of FACTS & SCIENCE. Esp when they're fighting to keep a false narrative alive. You said it best after Armour attacked you: "biology is not bigotry"#SaveWomensSports https://t.co/JAIIbvmbfZ— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) July 11, 2023
Steele has expressed support for maintaining fairness in women’s sports and has called the dominance of transgender individuals in these sports “ridiculous” and “heartbreaking.”
Steele defended Ponder after she faced criticism from columnist Nancy Armour on this issue. Rapinoe, on the other hand, expressed her willingness to accept transgender women on the U.S. women’s national team and labeled any objections as transphobic.
She joined other athletes in a letter opposing the Protection of Girls and Women in Sports Act, arguing that it would deprive women and girls of health benefits.
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