Transgender athletes Lia Thomas and Valentina Petrillo have spoken out against Elon Musk following his recent remarks on social media, where he called for a boycott of sporting events that allow transgender women—whom he referred to as “biological males”—to compete in women’s categories.

The billionaire and X (formerly Twitter) CEO made headlines after responding to a post by former college swimmer Riley Gaines. Musk echoed Gaines’s view that transgender women should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports, stating, “No biological male should be competing in female sports.” His comment triggered both support and outrage across online platforms and media outlets.

In response, Lia Thomas, the first openly transgender NCAA Division I champion, criticized Musk’s stance as discriminatory and uninformed. “This kind of rhetoric only fuels hatred and division,” Thomas said. “Trans women are not a threat to women’s sports—we are part of it.”

Italian sprinter Valentina Petrillo, the first transgender woman to compete in official Paralympic events in Italy, also condemned Musk’s comments. “Athletes like us train, sacrifice, and compete like anyone else. Reducing us to a biological category ignores our humanity, our identity, and our hard work,” she stated in a press release.

The backlash comes amid a broader global debate about the participation of transgender athletes in gender-segregated sports. Advocates for trans inclusion argue that athletes should be judged by their identity and individual circumstances, not by generalized biological traits. On the other side, critics like Musk and some sports figures claim that allowing transgender women to compete in female divisions undermines fairness and safety in women’s sports.

Adding to the controversy, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order banning transgender women from competing on women’s sports teams in federally funded schools and colleges, further intensifying the national conversation.

Despite ongoing tensions, both Thomas and Petrillo have reaffirmed their commitment to their sports and to advancing the rights of transgender athletes worldwide. “This is not just about medals or competitions,” Petrillo said. “It’s about dignity, respect, and the right to participate fully in society.”