Sonny Bill Williams

In days past, with the heavy vetting of communications between sports stars and the general public, we rarely gleaned much insight into folks' political or ...

We have to communicate with all of ourselves, not just the disembodied text on a screen. A platform is a privilege that needs to be considered when speaking out. We have to build the bridges that we can’t online. In order to find a consensus, we have to find our points of overlap and focus on that connection. That inequity needs to be acknowledged in these conversations in order for them to be productive. It’s the fundamental flaw of social media which sees folk trying to use it to build bridges when in reality it operates as an aggregator.

Williams, who retired from a glittering career in rugby and rugby league in 2021, today shared a tweet from well-known anti-transgender and anti-vaccination ...

I strongly urge you to listen to more transgender voices, so you can learn and understand how hateful & out of touch spreading this anti-trans rhetoric is,” one user wrote on Twitter. Time to find a trans ally rugby/league player to follow now,” wrote another. Thank God my parents were sane,” the tweet says. A small number of people applauded Williams for his stance, supporting his right to disagree with transgender rights and sex changes. “From ages 4-12 I wore boys’ clothes, played boy sports and rejected all thing ‘girly’. Sonny Bill Williams has ignited a storm of controversy on social media and been labelled “transphobic” for backing a comment from a woman who “thanked God” her parents wouldn’t let her get a sex change when she was 12.

The sporting great has been hit with a barrage of criticism for a 'jarring' message that reeks of 'hypocrisy'.

I strongly urge you to listen to more transgender voices, so you can learn and understand how hateful and out of touch spreading this anti-trans rhetoric is,” another said. Time to find a trans ally rugby/league player to follow now,” one user wrote. “Queer youth are five times more likely to attempt suicide in New Zealand compared to non-queer youth. As someone who has advocated for understanding and empathy for marginalised peoples, it’s jarring to see him perpetuate harm against one of the most vulnerable communities. Being queer doesn’t make us more likely to attempt suicide. I hope he sees the hypocrisy in his position,” Lal wrote.

Retired rugby and boxing star Sonny Bill Williams has been slammed for showing support for known anti-transgender activist Doctor Anastasia Maria Loupis.

Like, i assume there are plenty of transphobic personalities, i just wish i never had to see the coming out. I say this as step mum of young trans adult, and we supported his journey from a very young age. As someone who has advocated for understanding and empathy for marginalised peoples, it’s jarring to see him perpetuate harm against one of the most vulnerable communities. As someone who has advocated for understanding and empathy for marginalised peoples, it’s jarring to see him perpetuate harm against one of the most vulnerable communities. Time to find a trans ally rugby/league player to follow now.” Time to find a trans ally rugby/leauge player to follow now..— No Tick Name Changer 86 (@darkhorsenz) “We are only 6 days into Pride month and one of New Zealand’s most popular sportsman has tweeted transphobic remarks about the queer community. No one in the queer community was bothering him, but no, he wants to pick on us.” Sonny, this is harmful and untrue of many trans journeys. Nothing was easy, it’s hugely challenging in every respect and all we want is our child to be happpy and safe.— Valery â€Ùاليري (@SolarisValery) I hope he sees the hypocrisy in his position.— Shaneel Lal 🧚🻠(They/Them) (@shaneellall) I hope he sees the hypocrisy in his position,” they tweeted.