Sam Ponder accused of ‘bigotry’ after transgender athlete stance
On Sunday, ESPN broadcaster Sam Ponder faced backlash as her views on transgender athletes participating in sports were criticized by USA Today opinion columnist Nancy Armour. Ponder and fellow ESPN colleague Sage Steele had shown support for Riley Gaines, who has been leading the fight for transgender athletes to participate in sports against the gender they were born rather than the gender they identify as. Ponder had recently spoken about the issue after Gaines tweeted messages she had received regarding transgender high school runners participating in the girls division in California. However, Armour called Ponder’s stance “plain old bigotry” in her column. She accused Ponder of amplifying the idea that cisgender women’s participation in sports is threatened by transgender girls and young women, thereby putting transgender people in danger.
The majority of American adults believe gender is determined at birth and are opposed to biological males competing in women’s sports, according to a recent Washington Post-KFF poll. Sixty-six percent of American adults do not believe that biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports competitions at the high school level, while 34% support biological males competing against women. When it comes to college and professional sports, 65% of American adults don’t believe that biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. In youth sports, 62% of American adults did not believe biological males should be allowed to compete against biological girls, while 37% were behind allowing transgender girls to compete with biological girls.
FAQs:
– Why is there a debate about transgender athletes in sports?
There is a debate because some believe that allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports against the gender they identify as instead of the gender they were born as is unfair to cisgender (non-transgender) athletes.
– Who is Riley Gaines and what role has she played in this debate?
Riley Gaines is a Kentucky swimmer who has been leading the fight for transgender athletes to participate in sports against the gender they were born rather than the gender they identify as. Gaines recently tied with Lia Thomas in the NCAA Championship in 2022.
– What does the Washington Post-KFF poll say about public opinion on transgender athletes in sports?
The majority of American adults believe that gender is determined at birth and are opposed to biological males competing in women’s sports. The poll showed that 66% of American adults do not believe that biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports competitions at the high school level, while 34% support biological males competing against women. When it comes to college and professional sports, 65% of American adults don’t believe that biological males should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. In youth sports, 62% of American adults did not believe biological males should be allowed to compete against biological girls, while 37% were behind allowing transgender girls to compete with biological girls.
Transgender Athlete Stance Results in Accusations of ‘Bigotry’ Against Sam Ponder.
Popular ESPN broadcaster Sam Ponder has come under fire for her recent comments supporting fair play in women’s sports. Ponder has voiced support for Riley Gaines, who has been advocating for transgender athletes to participate in sports according to their birth gender. Gaines has been a prominent figure since she tied with Lia Thomas in the NCAA Championship in 2022. Recently, Ponder spoke out about the issue again after Gaines highlighted messages she had received about transgender high school runners participating in the girls division in California. Ponder tweeted, “It is not hateful to demand fairness in sports for girls.” However, USA Today columnist Nancy Armour wrote an article calling Ponder’s comments “plain old bigotry.” Armour took issue with Ponder not addressing the issue of unequal funding for women’s sports alongside her support for fair play. A recent Washington Post-KFF poll showed that the majority of American adults believe gender is determined at birth and are against biological males competing in women’s sports.