Brittney Griner Opens Up About Painful Experience With Her Partner’s Family: “They Couldn’t Accept Me Because of My Gender”

WNBA star Brittney Griner has long been known not just for her dominance on the court, but for her courage off it. In a recent interview, the basketball icon revealed one of the most heartbreaking chapters of her personal life — her former partner’s family rejecting their relationship due to her gender identity and presentation.

Griner, who came out as gay early in her career and has often spoken about gender norms, shared the deeply emotional story while speaking on a podcast focused on love and identity.

“I’ve faced judgment from the public, from fans, even from teammates at times,” she said. “But the hardest thing? It was sitting across from the parents of someone I loved and being told I wasn’t the kind of person they could ever accept into their family.”

Griner did not mention the partner by name, out of respect for her privacy, but said the relationship was serious — one they had both hoped would lead to marriage. However, when it came time to talk about building a life together, resistance came not from within the couple, but from outside.

“They didn’t see me as ‘wife material,’” Griner explained. “Not because of who I was inside, but because of how I looked — because I didn’t fit their image of what a woman, or a spouse, should be. They couldn’t separate their ideas about gender from my love.”

The moment, Griner admits, left her devastated.

“I remember leaving their house, holding back tears, trying to be strong for [my partner],” she said. “But when I got in the car, I broke down. Not because I was angry, but because I realized love alone sometimes isn’t enough to change people’s hearts.”

Fans were deeply moved by her vulnerability. Many took to social media to praise Griner’s honesty and the strength it took to speak out about such a personal wound.

“Brittney Griner has always carried so much — expectations, judgment, criticism — and she still shows up with grace,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“To be rejected not for who you are, but for what others think you should be — that’s a pain too many LGBTQ+ folks know. Thank you, BG, for telling our story,” another added.

Despite the rejection, Griner said she has no regrets about the relationship — or about staying true to herself.

“I could’ve tried to fit in. I could’ve dressed different, acted different. But I’ve worked too hard to love myself just to be someone else for the sake of being accepted.”

Now happily married to her current wife, Griner says she’s found a sense of peace and pride in who she is — and wants to use her platform to continue advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance.

“I’ve played in some of the toughest arenas in the world,” she said. “But walking into a room where you’re not wanted just for being yourself? That’s a different kind of battle. And I’m still standing.”