"You stink" - Martina Navratilova admonishes major media outlet over 'non-transgender women' label

Martina Navratilova has been a very outspoken critic when it comes to the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports. As a former athlete, Navratilova has taken a stand against that, and quite firmly so, to the dismay of many.

As a long-celebrated icon of the LGBTQ+ movement, Navratilova surprised many with her perspective, but it stems from her advocacy for women's rights first and foremost. She simply doesn't think that people who were born biologically male should compete with women.

On a related note, Martina Navratilova has now taken a stance against being called a 'non-transgender woman' by the New York Times believing the label to be ridiculous considering that in her mind simply 'woman' suffices.

The publication posted a story about a volleyball team and how they became the center of the transgender athletes debate, using the term 'non-transgender women' as an umbrella term in the text.

Navratilova reacted to a post on X by another user who took offense to being labeled the same way. The legendary player shared the opinion of that user, pointing out that there is a correct term to use and it's not 'non-transgender women,' as it was used in the text.

NYT- you stink. We are women, not NOT TRANSGENDER WOMEN. Just WOMEN will do in the future. - Martina Navratilova on X (@Martina)

Martina Navratilova's view of transgender women in women's sports

Martina Navratilova during the US Open Tennis Championship 2022 - Source: Getty

Those who have followed Martina Navratilova on social media know about her pretty fierce stance against transgender women competing with cis women, believing that they have a competitive advantage having been born as men.

She was quite outspoken about her view despite heavy backlash from many members of the LGBTQ+ community, who have branded the legendary player as a 'radical feminist.' In an interview with Intelligencer, she said:

"No, there are too many winning across the level, across sports, and they should not be competing at all. Whether they win or lose, doesn’t matter. They can certainly compete, but in the male category, not the female category. It’s simply not fair. They’re taller, and their bone density, their lung capacity, their skeletal structure, even their airways are larger than women. The advantages are numerous."

The issue in general is very contentious, with many debates going on as to whether it should be allowed or not. Many female athletes have spoken out against it despite heavy backlash from people belonging to different walks of life.

Martina Navratilova has been very outspoken about the issue and hasn't really changed her stance on it for years. Some of her rhetoric has sometimes veered a bit too much into anti-trans sentiments. With contentious issues like this, the lines blur easily.