The Definitive Answer: 5 Facts Debunking The Brittney Griner 'Hermaphrodite' Rumor

The question of Brittney Griner’s biological sex and gender identity is a topic that has generated intense, often misinformed, speculation across the internet for years. As of December 15, 2025, a persistent and deeply personal rumor continues to circulate, questioning whether the WNBA star is intersex—using the outdated and misleading term "hermaphrodite"—or even biologically male. This article aims to provide a definitive, fact-checked answer, separating the truth from the baseless online conspiracy theories that target her unique physical stature.

The reality, confirmed by multiple fact-checking organizations and official records, is clear: Brittney Griner is a biological female. The rumors, which are often fueled by her towering 6-foot-9 height, muscular build, and deep voice, are a form of targeted harassment that ignores established medical facts and Griner's own identity as a proud lesbian athlete. Her professional career, which took a major turn with her signing with the Atlanta Dream for the 2025 WNBA season, continues to showcase her as one of the most dominant centers in the history of women's basketball.

Brittney Griner: Complete Professional Biography and Profile

Brittney Yevette Griner is an American professional basketball player whose career has been defined by both athletic dominance and significant public challenges. Her imposing size and skill set have made her a one-of-a-kind presence in the sport, but have also unfortunately made her a target for speculation regarding her physical characteristics.

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• Full Name: Brittney Yevette Griner
• Born: October 18, 1990
• Age (as of December 2025): 35
• Birthplace: Houston, Texas, U.S.
• Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
• Position: Center
• WNBA Team (Current): Atlanta Dream (Signed February 1, 2025)
• WNBA Draft: 1st overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury
• College Career: Baylor University (Baylor Lady Bears)
• NCAA Highlights: 2012 NCAA Champion; First NCAA player to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots
• WNBA Championships: 2014 (with the Phoenix Mercury)
• Olympic Medals: 2x Olympic Gold Medalist (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020)
• Personal Life: Married to Cherelle Griner; openly lesbian and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

The Truth About the 'Hermaphrodite' and DSD Rumors

The rumor that Brittney Griner is a "hermaphrodite"—a term now considered scientifically inaccurate and offensive, replaced by "Intersex" or "Differences of Sex Development" (DSD)—is a long-standing conspiracy theory with no factual basis. This type of speculation is often directed at female athletes whose physical traits do not conform to conventional standards of femininity.

Fact-Checkers Have Debunked the Claims

In 2022, amidst a surge of online misinformation, major fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact, Snopes, and USA Today Fact Check all investigated and unequivocally debunked the claims that Griner is a man or intersex. They concluded that she is a biological female with no evidence to support the contrary. Her birth certificate and public medical records confirm her biological sex.

The root of the rumor lies in her unique physical characteristics. Griner's 6'9" stature is exceptionally rare for women, even in professional basketball, and her deep voice has been a frequent point of online discussion. However, possessing such traits does not equate to having a DSD or being biologically male. Many elite athletes possess genetic anomalies, such as large hands or an unusual height, that provide a competitive advantage, but these are simply natural variations of the human form.

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Addressing the 5α-Reductase DSD Speculation

A more specific, yet equally unverified, rumor suggests Griner has 5α-Reductase Deficiency Syndrome (5α-Reductase DSD). This is a condition where individuals are genetically male (XY chromosomes) but are born with external genitalia that can appear female or ambiguous.

There is zero credible evidence, official statement, or leaked medical record to support this claim. It is purely speculative and originates from anonymous, unverified online forums and social media posts attempting to rationalize her physical advantages. The proliferation of clickbait headlines claiming "leaked medical records" is a common misinformation tactic used to generate views and perpetuate the conspiracy.

In fact, the entire premise of singling out Griner's natural physical advantages—her height, hand size, and wingspan—is often viewed as discriminatory. As WNBA legend Lisa Leslie has pointed out, many athletes possess unique physical traits, and questioning Griner's sex over her height is a form of unfair scrutiny.

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The Context of Physicality in Women's Professional Sports

Brittney Griner’s physical presence has always been a major factor in her career, allowing her to become one of the few women in WNBA history to consistently dunk the basketball. Her dominance often sparks conversations about the role of biology in competitive sports, particularly in the WNBA.

The reality is that elite athletes, both male and female, are outliers in the general population. They possess a combination of genetic factors—such as specific muscle fiber types, exceptional height, or large lung capacity—that contribute to their world-class performance. Griner's height and wingspan are simply her version of a natural, competitive edge, no different than the exceptional speed of a sprinter or the incredible vertical jump of a volleyball player.

The WNBA, like all professional sports leagues, has strict rules and testing protocols to ensure fair play and verify the biological sex of its athletes. Brittney Griner has competed at the highest levels of the sport, including multiple Olympic Games for Team USA, all of which require rigorous gender verification. Her continued participation and success in these sanctioned events is the final, definitive proof that she meets all eligibility criteria as a biological female athlete.

The Impact of Misinformation and Targeted Scrutiny

The persistence of the "hermaphrodite" rumor highlights the intense and often cruel scrutiny placed on female athletes who do not fit traditional beauty or body standards. Griner herself has spoken about being tormented for her physical features since grade school.

By constantly questioning her biological sex, these rumors diminish her achievements and propagate harmful stereotypes about what a female athlete "should" look like. The use of the term "hermaphrodite," which is an outdated and clinically inaccurate term for an intersex person, further demonstrates the lack of education and sensitivity behind the online discourse. The correct, modern, and respectful term is Differences of Sex Development (DSD).

In conclusion, the claim that Brittney Griner is a hermaphrodite, intersex, or biologically male is a wholly unfounded conspiracy theory. She is a biological female, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a WNBA Champion, and a center for the Atlanta Dream. Her extraordinary physical traits are the source of her athletic dominance, not evidence of a hidden medical condition.