"You want more homophobia?" - Martina Navratilova slams Riley Gaines for backing Kansas City Chief's Harrison Butker’s "gays are awful" speech

Martina Navratilova has publicly expressed disagreement with American swimmer Riley Gaines, who praised Kansas City Chief’s star kicker Harrison Butker for his controversial remarks on women and the LGBTQIA community. Navratilova called out Gaines for supporting Butker’s speech, which she deemed as homophobic and misogynistic.

Navratilova and Gaines have been allies in the past, as they both opposed the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports, arguing that it would create an unfair advantage and erase the achievements of biological women.

However, their views diverged when Butker delivered a commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on May 11, which sparked a huge backlash on the internet. In his speech, Butker discussed a variety of topics, including Pride Month, women’s roles in the house, abortion, and women’s reproductive health.

Butker labeled Pride Month as a "deadly sin" and also claimed that women have been fed with "diabolical lies" by the media and the culture and that they should embrace their natural role as homemakers and mothers.

Many people, including celebrities, athletes, activists, and journalists, condemned Butker for his speech, accusing him of spreading hate and ignorance. Among them was Navratilova, who took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to criticize Butker.

"Another entitled male who thinks he knows what’s best for women and gays. Shame on you, Harrison Butker. You are not a role model, you are a bigot," Martina Navratilova wrote.

However, Butker also received some support and praise from some quarters. One of the surprising supporters was Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer, who took to X to express her appreciation for Butker’s speech.

"Harrison Butker has dominated the media the past week for merely saying women can be happy in traditional roles. The hysteria is ridiculous, but it’s a testament to how rare passion-filled truth speakers are. Be more like Harrison Butker," Gaines wrote.

Gaines’ tweet did not sit well with the 18-time Grand Slam champion, who responded with a sharp and sarcastic reply. She wrote:

"Really Riley? You're ok with "women just need to be mothers and gays are awful" speech? You want more homophobia?"

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Martina Navratilova backed Riley Gaines' lawsuit against NCAA on transgender inclusion in women's sports

Martina Navratilova at the 2023 WTA Finals

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova sided with swimmer Riley Gaines in her lawsuit against the NCAA over transgender athlete inclusion in women's sports.

On Piers Morgan Uncensored in March 2024, Gaines argued that transgender athletes' participation in women's sports takes away opportunities from biological females. The disagreement gets heated during a TV appearance where Gaines clashes with an LGBTQIA+ advocate James Barr over the definition of "women" in sports.

"Newsflash...it's not "kind" to ask a young girl to undress in front of a naked, intact man & what a spectacular display of idiocy to ask "but what about lesbians?" Lesbians are sick of being your pawn," Gaines wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Navratilova jumped in on social media to support Gaines, she wrote:

"Be kind my you know what… and what an insult from that (fill in blank) with his What about lesbians insult??? Well done Riley!" Martina Navratilova wrote.