March 6, 2022 — Athlete Ally is deeply concerned following news that WNBA player and Olympian Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia. Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star center for the Phoenix Mercury, is openly gay and has used her global platform to speak out against anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
.@PhoenixMercury star @brittneygriner stands up for LGBT equality in #TX with @WinningTX http://t.co/40hJEJVVmq @WNBA pic.twitter.com/2dp5UyroP3
— Athlete Ally (@AthleteAlly) April 6, 2015
Trans activist and writer Raquel Willis wrote on Twitter, “A Black queer woman has been held in Russia for almost a month… It’s unfortunate that Brittney Griner has become a major pawn in world leaders’ quest for domination.”
“Our thoughts are with Brittney Griner, her loved ones, and her teammates during this terrifying ordeal,” said Joanna Hoffman, Athlete Ally’s Director of Communications. “Brittney has long been a powerful voice for LGBTQ+ equality. It’s critical that now we use our collective voice to call for her safe and swift return to her family.”