Legendary WNBA Star Demands NCAA Protect Transgender Athletes

[Jessica_Rose]

Legendary WNBA Star Demands NCAA Protect Transgender Athletes

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/legendary-wnba-star-demands-ncaa-protect-transgender-athletes/ar-AA1nBn3L?ocid=windirect&cvid=65c41e37be3d46b79733e90a43dfe3c6&ei=15

Story by Matt Hladik (24 April 2024)

WNBA legend Sue Bird is one of more than 400 current and former athletes who signed an open letter sent to the NCAA on Tuesday advocating for the protection of transgender athletes.

Four other WNBA players--Layshia Clarendon, Cheryl Reeve, Natalia Achonwa and Brianna Turner--also signed the letter, as did current and former USWNT members Becky Sauerbrunn, Tierna Davidson, Samantha Mewis, Joanna Lohman, Lynn Williams and Sam Coffey.

"We, the undersigned, call upon the NCAA, a governing body meant to serve athletes and our wellbeing, to ensure that the lifesaving power of sport is accessible to all athletes who compete in championship and emerging sports at and for NCAA-member institutions – including transgender athletes," the letter reads. "To deny transgender athletes the fundamental right to be who they are, to access the sport they love, and to receive the proven mental and physical health benefits of sport goes against the very principles of the NCAA's Constitution.

"By barring transgender athletes, you would be severely limiting the capacity of your member institutions to protect and support their athletes. Moreover, you would be actively disparaging transgender athletes – the same athletes you chose to protect when you agreed to serve on the Board of Governors."