From OutKick · Matt Calkins · · 1m
Sports bar boycotts women's rugby over transgender policy
Portland bar bans women's rugby league due to transgender athlete rules
In brief
Portland bar bans women's rugby league due to transgender athlete rules Sports bar boycotts women's rugby league over transgender athlete policy Originally reported by OutKick.
Sports bar boycott
The Sports Bra bar in Portland expelled fans wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts during a National Women's Soccer League match.
“We're doing this in solidarity with the players, fans, and organizers calling for rugby to live up to its own values of respect, integrity and inclusion”
Rugby boycott reason
The bar boycotted Women's Elite Rugby matches after the league refused to allow transgender athletes to compete.
“The Sports Bra exists to celebrate and elevate women and girls in sports. That includes trans women and girls. Always.”
Bar's stated purpose
The bar claims to support women's sports and trans inclusion while banning rugby due to transgender athlete policies.
“We love women's sports. We love seeing new leagues grow. We want more athletes on bigger stages with more fans in the stands.”
Boycott impact
The boycott reduced visibility for Women's Elite Rugby, a niche sport with limited audience reach.
“All this boycott did was limit the already scarce number of eyeballs that would have been on a niche women's sport.”
Trans athlete debate
Trans athletes have won championships in sports, but some activists oppose their participation in women's competitions.
“You can do this while also acknowledging an unmistakable biological advantage that has led to various trans athletes winning high school, college and professional championships.”
Bar's hypocrisy
The bar previously supported women's sports but now bans a women's league over transgender policies.
“Funny, when the bar opened four years ago, it seemed like it was one of women's sports biggest champions. Now? It may just be one of women's sports biggest enemies.”
Sports bar history
The Sports Bra bar opened in Portland four years ago as a women's sports venue.
“We're doing this in solidarity with the players, fans, and organizers calling for rugby to live up to its own values of respect, integrity and inclusion”
The one thing
Sports bar boycotts women's rugby league over transgender athlete policy
