Amid her ongoing divisive position on transgender athletes, Martina Navratilova urges the United States to follow the United Kingdom’s lead in outlawing puberty blockers.
Martina Navratilova recently praised the UK government for its decision to indefinitely ban the use of puberty blockers, following expert advice on the potential risks associated with these treatments. The former World No. 1 and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion shared the UK government’s press release on social media, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to take note of the UK’s position, suggesting that the UK is ahead of the United States in understanding the potential harms of puberty blockers. Navratilova has long been vocal about her opposition to puberty blockers, particularly for transgender youth, citing concerns over mental health risks and other side effects.
Puberty blockers are medications used to delay puberty in adolescents, often in the context of gender-diverse or transgender youth. While they allow time for individuals to explore their gender identity, the drugs have been linked to potential risks, including mental health issues. Navratilova has continued to speak out against their use and has also been a staunch advocate for limiting the participation of transgender women in women’s sports, expressing the belief that transgender women should not compete against cisgender women.
Navratilova has also supported J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender women in spaces designated for biological women, such as restrooms. In response to a proposal by U.S. Representative Nancy Mace to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms in federal offices, Navratilova endorsed Rowling’s stance, which argued that there is no benefit to women in having transgender women in these spaces. The issue has sparked considerable debate, with some accusing those who disagree with the inclusion of transgender women in such spaces of being intolerant, while others, like Rowling and Navratilova, emphasize the rights of biological women to have safe and separate spaces.
