JK Rowling Backs Ad Featuring Female Athletes Speaking Out Against Trans Women in Sport

[Social Media]

 

Swimmer Riley Gaines is featured in a powerful new advertisement highlighting female athletes who have faced criticism for opposing the inclusion of trans women in women’s sports. The campaign, produced by sportswear brand XX-XY Athletics, has gained the endorsement of Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who shared her support on social media, writing: “This is the first and likely the last time I’ll retweet an ad, but I love it.”  

This is the first and likely the last time I’ll retweet an ad, but I love it. pic.twitter.com/oALpr5c10v

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 3, 2025

 

The advert opens with Riley Gaines sitting in a pick-up truck with her sister, Neely, a Tennessee state gymnastics champion. As they prepare for an early morning training session, a radio broadcast plays in the background, attacking Gaines for making so-called "transphobic comments" and dismissing concerns over biological males competing in female sports. “Who cares if biological males play in women’s sport? Just be inclusive,” the radio host says, with another voice adding, “I could not agree more. This is just a bunch of fear-mongering from Right-wing bigots.” Without responding, Gaines switches off the radio and walks into a sports stadium with her sister. Neely is seen wearing a sweatshirt with the message “Save Women’s Sport” printed on the back.  

 

The ad also features other female athletes who have spoken out on the issue, including Sia Liilii, co-captain of the Nevada volleyball team. She and her teammates made headlines last year after refusing to play against San Jose State due to the inclusion of transgender player Blaire Fleming on the opposing team. In the advert, Liilii is depicted checking her phone before practice, seeing a flood of online abuse, including accusations of being a “transphobe” and cruel messages telling her to “just die.”  

 

Another athlete included in the campaign is Jaycee Bassett, a senior on Costa Rica’s national taekwondo team. A decorated competitor, she holds a Junior Pan American Championship title and a silver medal from the Junior World Taekwondo Championship. Like the others, Bassett is shown training as critical media coverage plays in the background. The advert concludes with bold statements appearing on the screen, reading “Real Strength” and “Real Courage” before ending with the words “Real Girls Rock.”  

 

XX-XY Athletics has positioned itself as a brand that champions fairness in women’s sports, previously calling out major corporations like Nike for failing to stand up for female athletes. Jennifer Sey, a former US gymnastics champion and founder of XX-XY, explained the motivation behind the campaign, saying, “The athletes featured in the film prove that sports serve as a training ground for developing young people into outstanding, courageous individuals. We wanted to honour them with this film when no other brand has the guts to do it.”  

 

Launched in March last year, XX-XY Athletics sells sportswear promoting “fairness, safety and equal opportunity in women’s sports and spaces.” The brand name itself, referencing the male and female chromosomes, signals its stance in the debate. The company has been outspoken in its criticism of athletic brands that, in its view, have “sold out women for wokeness” by staying silent on the issue.  

 

In a statement on its website, XX-XY stressed the cultural impact brands can have, stating, “Brands can influence culture.” It further suggested that simply wearing XX-XY clothing could spark necessary conversations, asking, “Hey, what does that mean?” The company warned that allowing government legislation to mandate the inclusion of trans women in female sports would mean, in its words, that “we have lost the battle.”  

 

With high-profile figures like JK Rowling lending their support, the advert has ignited further discussion in the ongoing debate over fairness in women’s sports.

 

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-05

 

 

 

[harryviking]

There is no such thing as "Trans-woman"! It is either a man or a woman! Cutting your damn dick of does not change that at all!! 😆They should make their own branch of sports called Trans Sports (Dick-less imbeciles), not trying to destroy women sports!! STOP THE MADNESS NOW!!!😫