Val Whiting, a former WNBA player and two-time national champion at Stanford, expressed her views on transgender participation in women’s sports over the weekend.
Whiting shared her perspective following a question posed to South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley ahead of their national championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
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“Many of my fellow basketball players may have different opinions, but I firmly believe that transgender women should not compete in women’s sports. It is neither fair nor safe for biological women. There must be alternative ways for transgender women to participate in athletics without competing against biological women,” Whiting stated.
Whiting played in several basketball leagues before the WNBA’s rise to prominence, representing teams like the Detroit Shock and the Minnesota Lynx.
She overlapped with Staley during their careers. Staley, a Hall of Famer, played for the Charlotte Sting and later the Houston Comets.
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During a press conference, OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske asked Staley her thoughts on the contentious issue in American sports.
“I believe that if someone identifies as a woman and desires to participate in sports, they should be allowed to do so. It’s my personal view. Would you like me to elaborate further?” Staley remarked.
When questioned about whether “transgender women should be permitted to engage in women’s college basketball,” Staley affirmed her support, stating, “Yes.”
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks at the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four game against the NC State Wolfpack at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 5, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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“If that’s the question you’re posing, then yes, absolutely. This might bring a flood of opinions, but I am fine with that. Nothing will distract me on such an important day in our sport,” she added.
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FAQs
1. What is Val Whiting’s opinion on transgender athletes in women’s sports?
Val Whiting believes that transgender women should not compete in women’s sports as she views it as unfair and unsafe for biological women. She advocates for finding alternative ways for transgender women to participate in athletics without competing against biological women.
2. What is Dawn Staley’s stance on transgender participation in women’s sports?
Dawn Staley supports transgender individuals who identify as women to participate in sports, emphasizing that if they wish to play, they should be allowed to do so. Staley believes in inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports.
