Fact check: How has Brittney Griner publicly discussed her sexual orientation and gender identity?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Brittney Griner has publicly identified as a lesbian and is described consistently as a queer Black woman across multiple sources. The evidence shows that she has openly discussed her sexual orientation, with sources confirming that she "is gay" ^[1] and identifies as a lesbian ^[2]. Her public identity as a queer woman is well-established, with references to her wife, Cherelle ^[3], indicating she is in an openly same-sex marriage.

Regarding gender identity specifically, the analyses reveal that Griner has never publicly identified as transgender ^[4], but has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights ^[4]. The sources consistently describe her sexual orientation rather than any discussion of gender identity beyond her identification as a woman.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the intersectionality of Griner's identity as a Black professional athlete who is also lesbian. Sources highlight that her race, gender, and sexuality have made her a target for harassment and criticism ^[5], providing crucial context about why her public discussion of sexual orientation carries additional significance.

The analyses also reveal that there has been controversy and misinformation surrounding Griner's gender identity, with some sources addressing rumors about her being transgender ^{[4] [6]}. This suggests that public discourse about Griner often conflates sexual orientation with gender identity, creating confusion that the original question doesn't acknowledge.

Additionally, the sources indicate that Black LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary leaders have celebrated Griner's visibility ^[3], suggesting her public identity serves as representation for marginalized communities - context missing from the original question.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain explicit misinformation, but it may inadvertently perpetuate confusion by linking sexual orientation and gender identity together when the evidence shows Griner has primarily discussed her sexual orientation publicly. Some sources reference controversial content that appears to spread misinformation about Griner's gender identity ^{[7] [6]}, including titles that suggest "gender testing" controversies and claims about "exposing" her "true gender."

The framing of the question could benefit from recognizing that sexual orientation and gender identity are distinct aspects of identity, and that Griner's public discussions have focused on the former rather than the latter. The presence of sources with sensationalized titles ^{[7] [6]} suggests there may be deliberate misinformation campaigns targeting Griner's identity that conflate these concepts.