Story perspectives

Navratilova Calls Billie Jean King Trans-Athlete Hypocrite

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Martina Navratilova asked Billie Jean King to explain her support for trans athletes.
Martina Navratilova highlighted Billie Jean King’s 2025 claim “men are bigger and stronger” and recalled Billie Jean King’s 2020 backing of a challenge to Idaho’s ban on trans male athletes.
Martina Navratilova cited Renée Richards’s 2024 position paper (published 2025) stating Renée Richards should not have competed.
Olympic gold-medalist Nancy Hogshead called Billie Jean King a hypocrite.

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Story summary

Martina Navratilova asked Billie Jean King to explain her support for trans athletes.
Martina Navratilova highlighted Billie Jean King’s 2025 claim “men are bigger and stronger” and recalled Billie Jean King’s 2020 backing of a challenge to Idaho’s ban on trans male athletes.
Martina Navratilova cited Renée Richards’s 2024 position paper (published 2025) stating Renée Richards should not have competed.
Olympic gold-medalist Nancy Hogshead called Billie Jean King a hypocrite.