Women’s soccer legend Megan Rapinoe says she ‘can’t wait’ to see an elite trans athlete compete

While politicians continue to target transgender people and shift their positions, Megan Rapinoe remains steadfast in her support for trans athletes.On the Who’s With Me? podcast, the soccer legend and out lesbian was asked by host W. Kamau Bell why she wasn’t afraid of trans women in sports. Rapinoe responded by challenging a familiar anti-trans talking point: that athletes can simply declare themselves women and compete.“There’s a lot that trans people have to go through if you’re a trans person in sports to even play,” she began. “It’s like you couldn’t just say one day, 'I’m a woman,' and go play. That’s not how it works.”She then questioned how critics of trans inclusion define fairness.“God forbid somebody be good at sports and have some sort of advantage, which, by the way, sports is not fair in any sort of way ever. Right?” Rapinoe said.“It’s like it’s not meant to be fair,” Bell agreed.“Yeah. I’m like, what’s fair?” Rapinoe responded.Related: Megan Rapinoe shuts down period stigma, Republicans, and homophobic soccer playersRapinoe pointed to 7-foot-4 San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, whose height and reach give him natural advantages on the court, and asked, “Is that fair?” She explained that elite sports are based on competitive advantage. “What is it like? What does that mean even? So it’s already not fair,” Rapinoe said. “And also just like, it isn’t the most important thing in the world over someone’s human rights or getting to play or being cool to people.”A two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s national team, Rapinoe said she brings firsthand experience to that discussion.“I’ve won everything at every level basically and played, you know, in sort of every competition ... I’m the one who could speak to it," she said.Related: Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and more urge NCAA to stand up for trans inclusionHer advocacy for transgender athletes ha