Megan Rapinoe voiced her support for transgender athletes competing in women's sports. The 36-year-old soccer player's comments come after swimming organization <a href="https://vt.co/entertainment/caitlyn-jenner-responds-to-trans-swimmers-being-banned-from-competition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FINA</a> decided that any trans athlete that had gone through any part of male puberty could not compete in the women's sport. FINA also revealed that they are aiming to establish an "open" category for those competing whose gender identity is different than their sex assigned at birth. The decision has sparked reactions from social media users, and athletes like Rapinoe who has been a loud voice on several social justice issues, especially in sports. <img class="wp-image-1263159089 size-full" src="https://img.vt.co/2022/06/2G8KFXK-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />[[imagecaption|| Credit: Sipa US / Alamy.]] Speaking to <a href="https://time.com/6188583/megan-rapinoe-equal-pay-title-ix-transgender-sports-bans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TIME magazine</a>, the US women’s team captain said: "I’m 100 percent supportive of trans inclusion. People do not know very much about it. We’re missing almost everything." She continued: "Frankly, I think what a lot of people know is versions of the right’s talking points because they’re very loud. They’re very consistent, and they’re relentless." "At the highest level, there is regulation. In collegiate sports, there is regulation. And at the Olympic and professional levels. It’s not like it’s a free-for-all where everyone’s just doing whatever," she added. [[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1538535196408139776]] Rapinoe said "show me the evidence that trans women are taking everyone’s scholarships" and then described bans against trans children in sports as "cruel" and "disgusting". She concluded in her lengthy interview with the publication: "We’re putting everything through God forbid a trans person be successful in sports. Get a grip on reality and take a step back." Per <a href="https://www.indy100.com/sport/megan-rapinoe-trans-inclusion-sport" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indy100</a>, the soccer player's call for inclusion also comes after the US women soccer players reached a milestone deal with the sport’s American governing body to end a six-year legal battle over equal pay. Rapinoe led the legal battle with her teammate Alex Morgan, and they described the settlement as "justice" for the next generation of female players. The deal includes a $24 million offer and bonuses that match their male counterparts. The veteran previously shared an opinion piece in The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/28/megan-rapinoe-transgender-kids-sports-ban/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington Post</a> back in 2021, in which she argued for trans inclusion and spoke about "real threats" to women's sports including funding issues and unequal pay. "Proponents of these bills argue that they are protecting women," Rapinoe wrote. "As a woman who has played sports my whole life, I know that the threats to women’s and girls’ sports are lack of funding, resources and media coverage; sexual harassment; and unequal pay." <h6>Featured image credit: REUTERS / Alamy</h6>

Megan Rapinoe calls for the inclusion of trans people in all sport

Top Stories

Entertainment

Viewers are divided over Gwyneth Paltrow's 'attitude' during ski collision trial

Entertainment

Fans left confused over Grimes’ recent tweet about daughter’s name

Entertainment

Johnny Depp confesses he prefers his new quiet life in Britain to his old life in Hollywood

Entertainment

Tekashi 6ix9ine's bodyguard challenges star's attackers to a fight for $10K

Entertainment

People are calling latest Keanu Reeves interview the most 'cringey interview ever'

Entertainment

Blac Chyna says she's been 'reborn' as she gets baptized, removes fillers, and goes by 'Angela'