Ex-All Blacks star Williams at centre of transphobic' Twitter storm

Ex-All Blacks star Williams at centre of transphobic' Twitter stormFormer All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams has ignited a storm of controversy after a social media post that's been labelled transphobic'.

by Craig Lewis

06-02-2023 09:08

in LGBTQIA+

Former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams. Photo: PA Wire/PA Images RealTime Images

Sonny Bill Williams, who played in 58 Tests for the All Blacks, has found himself at the centre of controversy on social media and been labelled transphobic after seemingly supporting a comment from a woman who thanked God that her parents didn't let her get a sex change when she was 12.

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William shared a tweet from well-known anti-transgender and anti-vaccination advocate, Doctor Anastasia Maria Loupis, quoting 100, 100 in a post that seemed to provide backing for her comment that read as follows: From ages 4-12 I wore boys' clothes, played boy sports and rejected all thing girly'. When my brother teased me for being a girl, I even said that when I got older I would cut my boobs off'. I was not transgender, I just idolised my brother. Thank God my parents were sane.

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Williams later deleted the tweet, but not before receiving a severe backlash from various social media users.

The controversial post from Williams that drew a social media backlash before it was deleted. Photo: Twitter Sonny Bill, I had a massive amount of respect for you, both as a rugby league & union player, and as a decent human being. 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.

Another user responded to say: I assume there are plenty of transphobic personalities, I just wish I never had to see them coming out. Sonny, this is harmful and untrue of many trans journeys. Time to find a trans ally rugby/league player to follow now, wrote another.

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Well, this is disappointing. And I'm saying that as a girl who was tomboy and is now a butch lesbian, who understands you are who you are and the world is better for it.

Alice Soper (@alicesoapbox) February 6, 2023

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The Danish doctor's social media feed is often filled with comments about stamping out gay and transgender rights, anti-vaccination sentiments and Donald Trump support.

Williams enjoyed a famed sports career Williams retired from a memorable career in rugby and rugby league in 2021, while he is still well-known for his exploits in the ring as a passionate boxer.

Williams converted to Islan in 2009, while in France playing for Toulon. He became the first Muslim to play for the All Blacks.

The 37-year-old is a dual citizen of New Zealand and Samoa, and in 2019, he shared a tearful message of condolence for the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings, nd denounced the treatment of the Uyghurs in China: It's a sad time when we choose economic benefits over humanity, he commented.

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