Category: Sports

WNBA star Brittney Griner is presently in custody

June 22, 2022

WNBA star Brittney Griner is presently in custody after being arrested after a search of her luggage.

Russian Customs Service said that Griner was in possession of cartridges that were said to contain oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a said maximum penalty of up to 19 years in prison.

An airport worker searches Griner’s bag.

Russian Federal Customs Service

Sadly in many countries drug charges are ridiculously high, while traveling to Indonesia a few years back I heard a message that was played over speakers warning travelers that the penalty of drug possession was death! 

For those that don’t know or ask the question, why was she even there? 

Griner has been said to be one of the best players in the WNBA and is presently listed on the 2022 roster for her present team the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and for the last 7 summers she has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia where she earns more than $1 million per season which is more than quadruple her WNBA salary.

Although there isn’t much information to go on at this time, Griner’s wife Cherelle Griner took to social media to express her appreciation for their support of her wife and asked for privacy after Griner’s arrest.

Cherelle’s Instagram post is below 

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life. I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.

Thank you!”

As mentioned we don’t know much about the date she was arrested but know that her last activity on social media was a post of an image which is provided below. 

Her last post was on February 5th an image of Griner and her teammates of the Phoenix Mercury 

Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges said to have oil from cannabis.  

Which comes with mixed details and reports on how long she could be in jail, some reports say 10 years maximum while others say 19 years maximum. We at TransGriot just want her back on US soil immediately! Especially as this war is being pushed on the folks of Ukraine and so many sanctions hitting Russia our fear is that, Puttin will try to use Brittney and two other popular US citizens that are presently in custody in Russian prisons to try and force the hands of the US in whatever way he can.

Not only are members of the LGBTQ+ community showing support for the release of Brittney Griner the WNBA made the following statement

“Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States,” the league said.

Join in by signing the petition to bring Brittney home! https://www.change.org/p/secure-brittney-griner-s-swift-and-safe-return-to-the-u-s?signed=true 

#FreeBG

#BringBrittneyHome

And the attacks on Trans athletes continues

June 22, 2022

As of January 1st, 2022, Trans athletes and people with medical conditions which require hormonal treatment. This rule book update is one made by the United States Powerlifting Association which prohibits the use of any hormones in tested competitions.

It’s interesting how all of these changes are taking place in the sports arena around trans athletes! Last week we covered the news around the requirements for trans swimmers and look at this. I must point out that this update was made prior to the requirements set by NCAA but it’s all the same, they said they were going to listen to the science but I guess that’s changed.

The first rule that has language about trans athletes is rule 1.8.28:

“Transgender athletes are not eligible to compete in the drug-tested division and must compete only in the non-tested division.”

And this is rule: 1.8.19 (which is the language justifying rule 1.8.28)

“The USPA/IPL does not allow any therapeutic use exemptions. This means no lifter using  any hormone, regardless of medical necessity or choice, or other banned substance (see sec. 12), is allowed to compete in the drug tested division.”

They also made a statement saying

“The USPA doesn’t make a distinction between transgender or non-transgender athletes in non-tested competitions. Everyone is welcome to compete in the USPA and will be held to the same set of rules as stated in our rule book, whether lifting as a male or female… The USPA welcomes all lifters and will always do our very best at all times to accommodate all members.”

Although we’re only in February there’s already been a victim to this rule book update and that’s Angel Flores. 

Flores 22 years old trans weightlifting competitor is the USAPL Gold medal winner in the MX Division. 

Note the MX Division was created by the USAPL, which allows athletes of different gender identities to compete.

Flores took to social media and posted a video on her instagram (link) 

Saying “This was going to be my very first meet alongside my cisgender peers.” Please watch the video to hear fully what she said.

You see all we’re wanting as trans folx and especially trans athletes is to compete alongside our CIS peers! 

USPA Texas reached out personally to Angel and invited her to compete as a guest lifter.

 And Flores did her thang! 

Squat: 189.6 kg (418 lbs)

Bench Press: 109.7 kg (242p lbs)

Deadlift: 199.5 kg (440 lbs)

Total: 499 kg (1,100 lbs)

Congratulations to Angel although she couldn’t compete against her CIS peers she stilled killed it and represented for the trans community! Angel you’re an inspiration and have so much ahead of you so keep being you! 

Please follow and support Angel here’s her Linktree