The controversy over South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley’s remarks about biological males playing in the WNBA shows just how far the transgender movement has permeated the industry. However, the backlash against her argument shows that there are still plenty of sane people in America who understand the biological differences between men and women.
During a Saturday press conference, Staley was asked whether transgender females, born as males, should be allowed to compete against biologically female athletes. Her response was predictable:
I’m of the opinion of, if you’re a woman, you should play. If you consider yourself a woman and you want to play sports or vice versa, you should be able to play. That’s my opinion. You want me to go deeper?
I asked South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley if she supports transgender women (biological males) playing women’s college basketball.
“If you consider yourself a woman and you want to play sports or vice versa, you should be able to play.” pic.twitter.com/SEQCsNiFvm
— Dan Zaksheske (@RealDanZak) April 6, 2024
See:
South Carolina’s Women’s Basketball Coach Will Welcome Biological Men
The video clip went viral on social media – especially on X, formerly known as Twitter. Users pilloried the coach, pointing out the absurdity in her comments.
Author and commentator Shemeka Michelle responded by announcing her support for one of the Gamecocks’ rivals.
Wrong Answer!
Let’s go Iowa! https://t.co/ubmKtfoBER
— Shemeka Michelle (@ShemekaMichelle) April 6, 2024
Rapper Boosie savaged Staley’s comments, pointing out that she let “So many girls who worked hard [their] whole life to be great at the game of basketball down.”
U really let So many girls who worked hard they whole life to be great at the game of basketball down with this response 😞from the look I don’t even think u feel that way you just scared of that community ‼️This is Sad it really is SMH HOW CAN U LOOK AT YOUR TEAM N SAY THIS?… pic.twitter.com/QzHXTA8fvQ
— Boosie BadAzz (@BOOSIEOFFICIAL) April 7, 2024
Royce White, a Minnesota Senate candidate, also chimed in, saying that folks like Staley “will not stand on anything.”
GTFOH… What a joke! These people will not stand on anything. #Godspeed https://t.co/78WVeEWcNk
— Royce White 🇺🇸 (@Highway_30) April 7, 2024
Outkick contributor David Hookstead even posted a video offering $20,000 to five male players to identify as women to play against Staley’s team to show how absurd this whole thing is.
Dawn Staley is okay with men competing against women, which would destroy women’s sports.
Cowardly.
I have a $100,000 offer to prove just how stupid her stance is. pic.twitter.com/eI8QwRbOVS
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) April 7, 2024
Swimmer and podcaster Riley Gaines speculated that Staley was trying to “appease men.”
Yes, Dawn Staley is remarkable. But now she’s proven herself to be a sellout for women to appease men.
She supports the idea of less than mediocre men taking women’s opportunities. How is this different than the ‘patriarchy’ they touted their grievances with? https://t.co/LR8cFgghNk
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 6, 2024
Staley’s remarks come against the backdrop of a larger controversy over allowing biological males to compete against women. Several universities have taken legal action against the NCAA over this issue.
The topic has become a hot-button issue among conservative groups and others who believe transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete on girls’ and women’s sports teams. Last month, more than a dozen current and former women’s college athletes filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA, accusing the college sports governing body of violating their rights by allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
At least 20 states have approved a version of a blanket ban on transgender athletes playing on K-12 and collegiate sports teams statewide, but a Biden administration proposal to forbid such outright bans is set to be finalized this year after multiple delays and much pushback. As proposed, the rule would establish that blanket bans would violate Title IX, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972.
The debate over gender ideology remains a fixture in American politics today. But, the backlash against Staley’s comments reveals that there are still plenty of sane people in the United States who understand that men have distinct physical advantages over women.
