Payton McNabb, an advocate for women's sports and Title IX, has voiced strong opinions on the inclusion of transgender athletes, praising WNBA player Sophie Cunningham for her stance while criticizing Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve's support for transgender participation. McNabb, who has testified before Congress following a personal experience, believes there is a fundamental biological difference between men and women that should be recognized in sports.
McNabb, 21, stated in an exclusive interview that she began speaking out about the issue at age 18. She expressed bewilderment at having to explain the biological differences between sexes to lawmakers. She sees Cunningham's willingness to speak out, especially as her career gains prominence, as particularly courageous.
"For her to say it now and not wait until it's safe ... and her career is really taking off, I think it just adds a whole other layer on top of how special it really is," McNabb said. "We don't really have a lot of big-name athletes willing to say it, and that's really unfortunate, but that's just the way it is. But it's because of how they get treated."
McNabb contrasted Cunningham's stance with that of Cheryl Reeve, who has publicly supported transgender inclusion and wore a "Trans Kids Belong" shirt. McNabb questioned Reeve's actions, stating she could not understand women who she believes are opposing other women and girls by allowing biological males into women's sports. McNabb argued that this stance undermines the opportunities for female athletes that Title IX was intended to protect.
"You can't complain on one hand about not getting as much as the men or not getting as many opportunities or viewers ... and then on the next, you're encouraging men to take over the very category you're wanting separate from them," McNabb explained. She suggested that the reality of biological males competing in women's leagues might become undeniable if a prominent athlete, such as French player Julie Tétart, were to join the WNBA.
McNabb also commented on Caitlin Clark, the star player for the Indiana Fever. While acknowledging Clark's largely basketball-focused public persona, McNabb believes Clark's influence is significant. She suggested that Clark, whose athletic career is partly a result of Title IX, has a role to play in the conversation.
"Whether Caitlin Clark likes it, she's a part of the conversation, and it would just mean so much to the next generation," McNabb said. "To all the little girls in the stands that are wearing number 22, it would mean a lot to them."
McNabb's advocacy stems from a personal incident. Three years prior, she sustained a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis after being struck by a volleyball spiked by a biological male opponent. This experience propelled her from a high school athlete to a congressional witness. She noted that her health has recently seen significant improvement, aligning with her three-year recovery timeline. McNabb has become an ambassador for Independent Women, aiming to prevent similar experiences for other girls.
"I wasn't planning on going into politics, really had no idea what was going on at all," McNabb stated. "I just had a genuine story that happened to a real person and affected a real family and community."