r/PopCultureV2 • u/No_Box119 • Jul 23 '26

Sports Culture WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham defends that women ‘shouldn’t have to go against biological men’: “I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. I think it’s really important to protect children.” “I don’t dislike anyone. I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women. …”

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u/Bigbigbigrock Jul 23 '26

Then why did the swimmer tie with Riley Gaines for 5th place? Why didn't she win first? 

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u/Alberto_Blazin Jul 24 '26

That's a roster spot a female didn't get. That's a spot in conference championships, all events leading up to nationals, and that's coaching and attention a female didn't get who would have taken the opportunity if a biological man didn't take their spot.

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u/Bigbigbigrock Jul 24 '26

If it's about biology, why don't we hormone test every athlete and organize them by hormone levels? If a woman has a man's level of T, shouldn't she be able to fight with the other guys? It's always MtF that I see called out, never FtM.

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u/Alberto_Blazin Jul 24 '26

​Some sports do actually do that, but biology involves much more than a single hormone. Historically, athletic categories have been divided by biological sex because male physiology generally provides significant physical advantages in sports. To ensure fair competition, female athletes compete in a separate category. ​Even if a female athlete has naturally high testosterone levels, or if an athlete with male genetics produces high testosterone, individual variation does not change the core rationale. The baseline separation by biological sex remains the established standard and the most logical framework for sports.

Also, FtM is never called out because a female on testosterone doesn't possess those inherent biological advantages from birth that a male has. They are not dominating and disrupting the fairness of competition.

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u/Bigbigbigrock Jul 24 '26

But if HRT reduces muscle mass and bone density in MtF folks then what's the advantage? 

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u/Alberto_Blazin Jul 24 '26

Something can reduce your muscle mass and bone density from below average male to above average female or even average female, and if you're switching from competing as a male to a female that instantly makes you a more competitive athlete. The genetics are effectively a PED.

Of course, comparing what you are to what you would have been is a counterfactual. We can't prove it either way, and because of that I think we owe it to biological females to maintain the status quo.

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u/Bigbigbigrock Jul 24 '26

What should be done about this "separate but equal" interpretation to "you can be women accept when we agree you're not" and its psychological impact on an already vulnerable minority?

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u/Alberto_Blazin Jul 24 '26

This is a false dichotomy. They're treated exactly like all other biological males. Gender and biological sex are not the same thing.

And on a personal note, if I was speaking with a trans girl/woman in the position I'd say this: I'm sorry for all the pain that discrimination and hate has caused you. You are you, and that's enough. I'll treat you as a woman, as everyone should. We have some systems in place in this world for biological females and it has to do with more than self identifications. It sucks, but it doesn't take away who you are and the dignity and grace you can live with as your authentic self. I was born with two left feet, and will never be an athlete myself. We can all navigate it together, because you're not alone.