"Martina Navratilova is bigoted and totally thick";"Depressing" - Fans slam legend for 'denying trans people existed' during gay rights movement

Martina Navratilova recently found herself under fire from fans over her denial of trans people's existence during 1969's gay rights movement, which sparked the infamous Stonewall riots in New York City. Several fans took nasty swipes at the Czech-American tennis legend, who is a former World No. 1 and the winner of 18 singles Grand Slam titles.

Earlier this month, an X (formerly Twitter) user shared a post opining that black trans women had a significant part to play in 1969's gay rights movement.

"The modern gay rights movement would be nothing and nowhere without black trans women so take a seat and shut the f**k up dumba**," the user wrote.

Martina Navratilova took notice of the post a couple of days later and clapped back at the user, writing:

"I have no idea who you are, but you really should know more about the gay rights movement and its origins before stating these ridiculous lies as facts… there were no trans people back then. Try again with re- writing history"

The Czech-American legend's take though, irked many, who were quick to call her out.

"Martina is both bigoted and totally thick. Wow. Good work Martina," one user wrote.

"It’s deeply depressing to see those who have suffered the humiliation of bigotry & risen above it with strength & power, become bigots themselves," commented another.

"That’s incorrect, and you know it. But you don’t care, do you?" asked one user.

Here are some more reactions from fans condemning Navratilova's take:

"I beg your pardon? Yes there were. I cannot believe you deny they existed," a fan stated.

"Martina, the first sex reassignment surgery was performed in 1907," claimed one.

"The first MtF surgery was done in 1922. We didn't just suddenly start existing in 2017. And there is mention of a transgender woman in court minutes in the UK from 1395 with Eleanor Rykener," another chimed in with a separate claim.

The former No. 1 though, defended her stance and fired back at a number of people who criticized her.

"I lived it", "Try again" - Martina Navratilova defends her controversial take on trans people's existence in face of fierce backlash

Martina Navratilova (Source: Getty)

Despite the fierce criticism that came her way, Martina Navratilova remained defiant, as she replied to several users with stinging messages. In response to one of the critics who claimed that the Czech-American knows she's wrong but doesn't care, the former No. 1 fired back saying that she had lived through the experience of the gay rights movement in 1969 and the subsequent Stonewall riots, which saw considerable violence as angry advocates of the movement clashed with the New York Police Department.

"You talking to me? I lived it, moron," Navratilova quipped back at the critic.

Another user claimed that trans people have always existed. The user also urged Navratilova to refrain from spreading falsehoods. To this, the 18-time singles Major winner replied:

"They were not at Stonewall or anywhere else on the frontlines I am aware of in the 70’ and 80’s, even 90’s. Try again"

Martina Navratilova, who is often outspoken when it comes to her socio-political views, drew the ire of fans in 2023 after she was accused of racism, transphobia and fascism. The accusations stemmed from the Czech-American criticizing a British columnist for endorsing diversity.