In a move that has shocked fans, athletes, and civil rights groups alike, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has announced a new policy requiring mandatory gender testing for all players beginning next season.
The league claims the decision was made to “ensure fair competition,” but many are calling it a regressive, invasive overreach—a direct attack on transgender and gender-nonconforming athletes. Critics say the policy could set a dangerous precedent not just in women’s sports, but in how society views gender identity, privacy, and human rights.
But the outrage doesn’t end there.
Karoline Leavitt’s Vulgar Comment Escalates Tensions
As news of the policy broke, political commentator Karoline Leavitt added gasoline to the fire with an inflammatory social media post targeting WNBA star Brittney Griner. In the now-viral message, Leavitt allegedly called Griner a “sh!t” and accused the league of “hiding the truth about who’s really playing in women’s sports.”
“The American people deserve transparency,” Leavitt wrote. “And we deserve to know whether the women playing are actually women.”
The insult has sparked immediate and widespread backlash, with public figures, advocacy groups, and former athletes condemning the language as “vile,” “sexist,” and “dehumanizing.”
Griner Becomes a Target — Again
This is not the first time Brittney Griner has been subjected to attacks about her gender identity. Standing at 6’9” and known for her deep voice and athletic dominance, she has long been a favorite target of online conspiracy theorists and gender critics — despite there being zero factual basis for the rumors.
Griner has never commented directly on such speculation, and many believe she shouldn’t have to.
“The fact that Griner is once again in the crosshairs of a gender panic shows exactly why this new WNBA policy is so dangerous,” said an LGBTQ+ rights advocate.
“It enables people to weaponize gender in the most dehumanizing way possible.”
Athletes and Advocates Respond
Prominent players and organizations have spoken out, labeling the new testing policy as a “modern-day witch hunt.” A number of current and former athletes have hinted that they may boycott the league if the policy is not reversed.
“This isn’t about fairness. It’s about fear, control, and discrimination,” tweeted one WNBA veteran.
“I won’t be part of a system that tests women’s bodies to determine whether they ‘belong.’”
The ACLU and Human Rights Campaign have issued joint statements urging the league to reconsider the policy, calling it a direct violation of athletes’ privacy, dignity, and bodily autonomy.
A Culture War in the Heart of Women’s Sports
The controversy has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over gender identity in professional sports. Supporters of the policy argue it’s a necessary step to maintain competitive integrity. Opponents say it’s a blatant excuse to exclude and humiliate athletes who don’t conform to narrow expectations of femininity.
Even sponsors are feeling the heat. Sources inside several major brands associated with the WNBA report “serious internal discussions” about whether to pull support amid public backlash and ethical concerns.
The Future of the WNBA Hangs in the Balance
As the fallout continues, one thing is clear: The WNBA is facing a defining moment.
Will it double down on its policy in the name of “fairness”? Or will it listen to the overwhelming calls from players, fans, and advocates who are demanding dignity and inclusion over outdated notions of gender?
As for Karoline Leavitt, she has yet to issue an apology or clarification. Supporters call her “brave for speaking uncomfortable truths.” Critics say she’s fueling hatred and fear at the expense of one of the league’s most celebrated stars.
This isn’t just about sports anymore.
It’s about who gets to belong, who gets to lead — and whether women’s bodies will ever truly be their own.
