{"id":41647,"date":"2017-08-19T07:13:00","date_gmt":"2017-08-19T07:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=41647"},"modified":"2017-08-19T07:13:00","modified_gmt":"2017-08-19T07:13:00","slug":"wnba-stars-continue-outspoken-social-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/sports\/wnba-stars-continue-outspoken-social-issues.html","title":{"rendered":"WNBA stars continue to be outspoken on social issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

WNBA stars continue to be outspoken on social issues<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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When the Texas legislature pushed a controversial bill that targeted transgender people, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner made her opposition clear.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Houston native teamed up with Layshia Clarendon of the Atlanta Dream to pen an op-ed against the bill. The bill, which would require transgender people to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their birth certificate, had already passed in the Texas Senate. The op-ed ran on NBC News on Monday afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTexas would be subjecting trans athletes to harassment, bullying and possible assault. While we do not identify as transgender, we know what it feels like to be singled out for not fitting neatly into social norms,\u201d the two wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe efforts of activists before us have provided us both with the opportunity to live authentic lives in the open and realize our personal and athletic potential through sport.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs beneficiaries of such brave efforts, we do not take our responsibility as activists lightly. We believe it is our moral duty to use the platform we have been given to speak out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Texas legislature adjourned one day early, ending its session Tuesday night. This abrupt end effectively killed the bill, just a day after Griner and Clarendon spoke out.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Griner was encouraged by the fact that the bill did not pass, she was still alarmed that it was up for debate in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just stand on the fact that it shouldn\u2019t be an issue. It should be a no-brainer. Why can\u2019t we have equality for everybody? It should not even be a debate,\u201d Griner said Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Texas bill had also faced public opposition from the the NHL, the NBA and the NCAA.<\/span><\/p>\n

When a similar bill passed in North Carolina, the NCAA relocated seven championship events and the NBA moved the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans.<\/span><\/p>\n

The NCAA, NBA and NHL all speculated that they may not have used Texas as a site for future events had the bill passed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Griner, who came out as a lesbian shortly after becoming the No. 1 pick in 2013 WNBA draft, has been outspoken about issues facing the LGBT community in the past. The Texas legislation hit especially close to home for Griner, who grew up in Houston and attended Baylor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s sad. Everybody is stuck in their old times. We need to move with the movement. I mean, we shouldn\u2019t have to move \u2014 it should be a no-brainer. But I guess other people think differently than how we think,\u201d Griner said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Griner leads the league in scoring and blocks, averaging 22.1 points and 2.5 blocks per contest. In her first game since publishing the op-ed, she tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds as the Mercury beat the Washington Mystics 89-79 on Friday in Washington.<\/span><\/p>\n

A four-time All-Star, Griner has also made an impact off the court. Last month, she donated to a Phoenix LGBT youth center that had been burned in an arson. The $5,000 donation came from winning the WNBA\u2019s June award for community service.<\/span><\/p>\n

WNBA players have become increasingly outspoken on social issues, starting with their protests of police brutality last summer. Players initially faced fines, which were later rescinded.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Wednesday night, the Mystics and the Los Angeles Sparks joined together at center court, interlocking arms in one line for the national anthem to honor the victims in Charlottesville, Va. A few hours later, the Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm would follow suit. In a statement ahead of Wednesday\u2019s games, WNBA president Lisa Borders expressed her support.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor (the league) to allow us to do our own type of protests or our own stand against what\u2019s going on, it means a lot to have them behind us,\u201d Griner said.<\/span><\/p>\n

On Friday, Griner and her teammates joined Mystics players ahead of the game. According to a league memo obtained by The Associated Press, the unified stance between opposing teams for the anthem will continue through Aug. 25. Mercury guard and nine-year veteran Diana Taurasi felt it was important for the league to take a stand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle shows of symbolism lets people know where this league stands, and we\u2019re trying to be on the right side of things,\u201d said Taurasi, the league\u2019s all-time leading scorer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we did it last year in a great way, and I think there\u2019s more to come as far as a mindset and a way of thinking that it\u2019s just not correct, and we don\u2019t stand by it and we won\u2019t.”<\/span><\/p>\n

For players like Taurasi, Griner and Clarendon, the op-eds, protests and speaking out will likely continue, as players feel a responsibility to leverage their platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of women in our league that have a strong opinion and are role model citizens in a lot of parts of life, not just basketball,\u201d Taurasi said. \u201cI think that complete mindset puts a lot of people in this league in a place to say something and really back it up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Source-\u00a0https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/wnba\/2017\/08\/18\/wnba-social-issues-brittney-griner-layshia-clarendon-texas-bathroom-bill-op-ed\/582645001\/<\/span><\/p>\n

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