The New York Times has sparked controversy by using the term "non-transgender women" in a recent article about a transgender athlete competing in women's college volleyball. This phrasing has drawn criticism from prominent figures, including tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who called out the newspaper on social media, asserting, "We are women, NOT TRANSGENDER WOMEN. Just WOMEN will do in the future."
The article in question detailed the complexities surrounding a San Jose State University Spartans volleyball team's attempt to include a transgender female player, leading to internal divisions and even a lawsuit filed by some team members and the assistant coach. They allege that the inclusion of the transgender athlete infringes upon their Title IX rights to gender equity.
The Times' reporter, Juliet Macur, used the term "non-transgender women" when discussing the scientific aspects of the debate regarding transgender women's participation in women's sports, specifically in relation to testosterone levels. She also employed the phrase "athletes assigned female at birth" in the same article.
This language has ignited a backlash online, with many accusing the Times of furthering a "men's rights movement" at the expense of women's rights and erasing women's language. British Olympian Sharron Davies criticized the Times, highlighting the loss of women's rights, safeguards, and even their words. The Twitter account "WomenAreReal" called out the Times and listed other terms used to describe biological women, such as "birthing parent" and "uterus haver," emphasizing, "We are WOMEN!" Journalist Tiffany Wong mocked the Times for using what she perceived as absurd terminology.
Conservative journalist Andy Ngo commented that woke ideology divides women into "transgender women" and "non-transgender women." Rep. Nancy Mace also criticized the Times' phrasing. Fox News Digital reached out to The New York Times for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
