The Truth About Brittney Griner's Gender: 7 Facts That Debunk The Persistent Rumors

The question of whether WNBA superstar Brittney Griner is a man has become one of the most searched and fact-checked queries on the internet, fueled by her exceptional athletic build, towering height, and distinctive style. This persistent rumor, often spread across social media platforms, is unequivocally false and has been debunked by major fact-checking organizations. As of December 11, 2025, Brittney Griner is a woman, identified as female since birth, and is an openly lesbian professional basketball player.

The confusion surrounding her identity stems from a combination of her physical characteristics—standing 6 feet 9 inches tall with a formidable wingspan—and a culture of stereotyping against highly athletic women. Griner continues to be a dominant force in the WNBA, representing the Phoenix Mercury, and has dedicated her platform to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and for the release of other Americans wrongfully detained abroad, keeping her story current and highly relevant in 2025.

Brittney Griner: Biography and Professional Profile

To understand the context of the rumors, it is crucial to first establish the factual background of the athlete at the center of the discussion. Brittney Griner's life story is one of exceptional talent, groundbreaking achievements, and significant personal challenges.

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• Full Name: Brittney Yvette Griner
• Date of Birth: October 18, 1990
• Hometown: Houston, Texas
• Biological Sex: Female (Identified as female at birth)
• Gender Identity: Woman
• Sexual Orientation: Lesbian (Openly out since 2013)
• Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
• Shoe Size: Men's U.S. size 17
• WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury (Originally drafted by the Mercury in 2013)
• College: Baylor University (2009–2013)
• Professional Achievements: 9-time WNBA All-Star (including 2024), WNBA Champion (2014), 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist (2016, 2020), 3-time WNBA scoring champion.
• Spouse: Cherelle Griner
• Notable Event: Detained in Russia from February to December 2022 on drug charges, leading to a high-profile prisoner exchange.

Griner’s profile clearly demonstrates that she is a biological woman who has competed at the highest levels of women's basketball globally, including the WNBA and the Olympics. Her physical stature, including her height and an impressive 87.5-inch (222 cm) arm span, makes her an outlier even among elite female athletes, which is the primary driver of the speculation.

The Anatomy of a Rumor: Why People Ask "Is Brittney Griner a Man?"

The question of Brittney Griner's gender identity is not new; it has followed her since her college days at Baylor University. The rumors are a classic example of how misconceptions about gender, sexuality, and athletic capability intersect, particularly in the public eye. The persistence of the claim, despite numerous factual rebuttals, can be broken down into several key factors:

1. Exceptional Physicality and Height

Standing at 6'9", Brittney Griner is one of the tallest players in WNBA history. Her muscular build and powerful presence on the court defy traditional, often narrow, stereotypes of what a female athlete should look like. In a society where exceptional athletic dominance is often associated with masculinity, Griner's sheer power and ability to dunk—a rare feat in women's basketball—leads some to question her biological sex. Her large shoe size (men's size 17) further contributes to this perception.

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2. Androgynous Style and Presentation

Griner has always embraced an androgynous or masculine style of dress. She is an openly lesbian woman who is comfortable presenting herself in a way that is not traditionally feminine. This choice of presentation, combined with her physical traits, is often misinterpreted by those who equate gender presentation with biological sex or gender identity. She has consistently used she/her pronouns and identifies as a woman.

3. Misinformation and Social Media Fact-Checks

In the age of social media, sensational and false claims often spread faster than the truth. The rumor that Griner is biologically male or transgender has repeatedly gone viral. However, reputable fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact, Snopes, and USA Today Fact Check have all investigated these claims and concluded unequivocally that Griner is a biological woman. These fact-checks confirm that she was born female and has never identified as transgender or a man.

The Distinction Between Biological Sex, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation

A significant part of the confusion surrounding Brittney Griner’s identity stems from a lack of understanding regarding the differences between biological sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Addressing this distinction is key to dispelling the rumor and promoting topical authority on this sensitive subject.

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Biological Sex (Female)

Brittney Griner’s biological sex is female. This refers to the physical attributes—chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy—she was born with. She has competed in women's sports at every level, a fact that is strictly regulated and requires verification of biological sex.

Gender Identity (Woman)

Griner’s gender identity is that of a woman. Gender identity is an individual's internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither. Griner has consistently identified as a woman throughout her public life.

Sexual Orientation (Lesbian)

Griner is openly lesbian, meaning her sexual orientation is a woman who is attracted to other women. Her sexual orientation has no bearing on her biological sex or gender identity, but her openness about being a "girl-loving phenom" has sometimes been conflated with questions about her gender.

Brittney Griner’s Advocacy and Impact Beyond the Court in 2025

Brittney Griner's relevance extends far beyond the basketball court, especially following her high-profile return to the United States in late 2022. Her story has put a spotlight on several critical issues, solidifying her status as a global entity and activist.

Since her return, Griner has used her platform to advocate for the release of other Americans wrongfully detained abroad, ensuring their families do not have to endure the same pain her wife, Cherelle Griner, and family experienced. This ongoing advocacy work keeps her in the news cycle, which in turn, unfortunately, revives old, baseless rumors about her personal life.

Furthermore, Griner remains a powerful and visible figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Her resilience and success in a professional sports league make her a role model for countless young athletes, particularly those who may not fit traditional molds of femininity or who are navigating their own sexual orientation and gender identity journeys. Her presence challenges the rigid stereotypes that fuel the very rumors she constantly faces, proving that there are "a whole lot of ways to be a woman" and an elite athlete.

In the 2024 WNBA season, Griner was again named an All-Star, demonstrating her continued dominance and commitment to the sport. Her focus remains on her career with the Phoenix Mercury and her advocacy, ensuring her legacy is defined by her talent and courage, not by unfounded speculation.

Conclusion: The definitive answer to the question "Is Brittney Griner a man?" is a clear and resounding no. She is a biological woman, an openly lesbian woman, and one of the most talented and physically dominant athletes in the history of women's basketball. The rumors are a product of misinformation and societal discomfort with female athletes who possess exceptional strength and an androgynous style. By focusing on the facts—her biography, her WNBA career, and her powerful advocacy—we can honor her true identity and her significant contributions to sports and human rights.