Latest news with #sportsDebate
Fox News
3 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
'Men don't belong in women's sports,' NBA star believes amid debate over transgender athletes
The inclusion of transgender athletes has been hotly debated in the sports world and beyond. NBA star Jonathan Isaac has previously shared his thoughts on the topic. Last year, the Orlando Magic forward appeared to take particular issue with the White House's commemoration of "Transgender Day of Visibility." Events at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue took place on March 31, the same day as 2024 Easter Sunday. Isaac has a faith-based sports apparel and shoe line called "UNITUS" and he often pubically discusses his Christian conviction. "They want you to hate! This helps no one and only promotes division," he wrote. "They know exactly what they are doing.. we should be angry but shouldn't lose the spirit of what tomorrow means! Don't lose focus. Because He is risen there is hope for all." In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Isaac further explained his stance on transgender athletes' eligibility in girls' and women's sports. "It's just a tough situation. There's an ethic… there's something that I believe is true. I believe that men and women are different. I believe that men do not belong in women's sports, that's a fundamental belief I hold. For reasons, one I'm a guy and I can understand the difference and the advantages that we have," Isaac said. "But at the same time there is a reality of the situation… there are people who are not in sports who are transgender (who) are trying to live their life the best way they know how. And they have this feeling of what they believe is right and who else is to say they are wrong in some sense." Isaac acknowledged the humanity of the complex situation, but said his belief in the fundamental differences between men and women ultimately prompted him to draw a line in the sand. "But where I stake my flag is, I believe that in order to cater to the feelings of this group, I would have to trample on the feelings of women to get there. And that's where I say, 'OK, that's where I believe this is wrong' and I would be willing to put my voice to it. I understand the humanity of the situation. I feel for the humanity of the situation. But at the end of the day, I believe it's right to stand on the truth of men and women are different. And I wouldn't want my daughter to have to compete against a transgender athlete (who) has gone through puberty or has testosterone." Isaac shares two daughters with his wife. Shortly after President Donald Trump's second term began, he signed an executive order effectively banning transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports. The executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," was based on Title IX, part of a civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs. The order instructed the Department of Education to investigate academic institutions that failed to comply. If a school is deemed to be in noncompliance, federal funds could be withdrawn. Elsewhere, the International Olympic Committee has decided to allow global federations that govern a variety of sports to create their respective eligibility rules. Under Trump's executive order, the State Department is instructed to demand changes within the committee. The NCAA reacted to the executive order by introducing a sweeping new policy. The organization's updated participation policy, which was announced in February, stated that only "student-athletes assigned female at birth" will be allowed to take part in intercollegiate athletic competitions. The latest policy does permit "student-athletes assigned male at birth to practice with women's teams and receive benefits like medical care." However, those athletes are banned from any NCAA-sanctioned competitions. In December 2024, NCAA President Charlie Baker told a Senate committee there were "less than 10" transgender college student athletes he was aware of at the time. Baker, who was the Republican governor of Massachusetts from 2015-2023, also confirmed that there are roughly "five hundred and ten thousand" athletes enrolled in more than 1,000 colleges and universities across all 50 states that the NCAA oversees. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
AB Hernandez: 16-year-old transgender athlete wins two golds and a silver as participation sparks controversy
A 16-year-old transgender athlete who is the focus of a US sports row has won two golds and a silver at the California high school track and field championship. AB Hernandez was born a boy but has transitioned and now competes against girls. And the teenager's inclusion in the girls category in the high jump, long jump and triple jump became a national conversation. Critics, including parents, conservative activists and President Trump, had called for Hernandez to be barred from competing. Who is AB Hernandez? In the city of Clovis on Saturday, she took part under a new rule change brought in by the state's interscholastic federation, under which an extra student was allowed to compete and win a medal in the events where Hernandez qualified. And it meant there were two winners when she finished first. Hernandez shared first place in the high jump with Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle. All three cleared a height of 5ft 7in (1.7m), but Hernandez had no failed attempts, while the other two had each logged one failure. Hernandez also had a first-place finish in the triple jump, sharing the top spot with Kira Gant Hatcher, who trailed her by more than half a metre. Also, Hernandez came second in the long jump with Brooke White. "Sharing the podium was nothing but an honour," White said. "As a part of the queer community I want AB Hernandez to know we all have her back." Plane protest During Hernandez's qualifying events on Friday, a plane flew over the stadium trailing a banner, which read: "No boys in girls' sports." It was organised and paid for by two women's advocacy groups. A small protest also took place on the road outside. "Save girls' sports," one poster read. "XX does not equal XY," read another. Transgender inclusion is a thorny issue but a vote winner for Donald Trump, who campaigned last year with a promise to "kick out men from women's sport". He signed an executive order seeking to ban transgender women from female sports. And Mr Trump has threatened to withdraw federal funding from California over Hernandez's participation in this weekend's athletics event. 'Pilot entry process' The California Interscholastic Federation had earlier said it was launching a "pilot entry process" to allow more girls to participate in the championship. It only applied to the three events in which Hernandez competed. Read more from Sky News:How Musk's mission to cut government spending fell flatUK to build weapons factories in £6bn push to rearm The rule change may be the first attempt nationally by a high school sports governing body to expand competition when trans athletes are participating. If a transgender athlete wins a medal, their ranking would not displace a "biological female" student from also medalling, the federation confirmed, and it will be reflected in the records. The federation said the rule opens the field to more "biological female" athletes. The organisation did not specify how it defines "biological female" or how it would verify whether a competitor meets that definition.
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher reiterates stance on transgender athletes in sports: 'Common sense'
Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher recently spoke against transgender athletes in sports and reiterated his stance Wednesday. Earlier this month, Urlacher appeared on the "Global View" podcast and wondered why it is even a debate. On Wednesday's edition of "America Reports," he said it is "common sense." "Athletically, it's just not fair. You know, men are meant to play with men," Urlacher said. "That's why there's the NBA and the WNBA or LPGA and PGA Tour. They're different. I just don't understand how people think it's OK for a male to participate in a woman's sport. "There are just so many biological differences. You have the guy that was swimming with the women there from Penn a couple years ago with Riley Gaines and some of her teammates, and you saw how he was with the men compared to with the women. It's just not fair. It's pretty obvious to most people." Urlacher also questioned why other girls and women are not speaking out but pointed out that doing so has hurt them. "You see these girls stand up, and it's really hurting themselves when they stand up because they're not competing because they don't want to compete against a man. So, they're stepping down from their competitions," he added. "And it's kind of funny coming from people who push women's rights, and they want to fight for women's rights, but they don't wanna fight for women's rights in sports. They want men to come in there and dominate the sports against the women. It's just, it's not fair. It's common sense. I think we've seen President Trump talk about it since he's been elected. It's pretty much common sense just to not have men in women's sports. "It's just not fair. You know, I saw a track athlete in South Carolina a couple of years ago doing the same thing, just winning every event. There's biological differences. Men should not be competing against women. It's not fair. It's dangerous. You saw the volleyball player, the man spiking the ball, hitting the woman in the face. "It's … not fair and it can be really dangerous. It's funny what Aaron [Rodgers] said. You don't see women try competing against men in our sports. You don't see them trying to play football. You don't see them try and do things that they wouldn't be as good at or could get hurt at." Illinois, where Urlacher spent his NFL career, has become a hotbed of controversy over the issue of trans athlete inclusion in recent days after a biological male competed in a seventh-grade track meet against biological females at the Naper Prairie Conference Meet. Several other states have defied President Donald Trump's executive order on the issue, resulting in Maine temporarily losing federal funding. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
NBA great Charles Barkley goes scorched earth on trans athlete
Charles Barkley bluntly responded to the 'stupid' supporters of transgender athletes as the NBA legend voiced his concerns on the controversial debate, saying he won't change his mind. 'I'm gonna make this very simple for you, Dan. Men should not play sports against women,' Barkley said on Outkick's 'Don't @ Me' with Dan Dakich Thursday, the NY Post reports. 'I'm not gonna get into all the bullsh*t that's going on out here in the world today.' The 62-year-old Hall of Famer's views come as the sports world continues to debate the polarising subject. 'Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks that, I think they're stupid,' Barkley continued. 'I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%. But I do not, under any circumstances … think that men should play sports against women.' President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February banning biological males from women's sports, putting pressure on schools to comply or face the loss of federal funds. A day later, the NCAA changed its gender eligibility policies banning all biological males from women's sports. Barkley said his stance wouldn't change regardless of the pressure he faced from the public. 'If anybody has a problem with that, they're gonna have to get over it because I'm not gonna change my (mind). I just think it's wrong, period,' he added. 'I don't even think that's controversial … I don't wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don't wanna hear it. I'm not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn't play sports against women. I'm done,' he said. Barkley's comments came after Dakich asked the analyst about unfounded reports that sports brand giant Nike had funded a study on transgender children in sports. The rumoured research alleged the athletic wear giant donated money to help transgender physicist Joanna Harper study the effects of hormone therapy and puberty blockers on 'trans adolescents.' Reports of the study first emerged in a New York Times article highlighting San Jose State's Blaire Fleming, a trans female competing on the women's volleyball team. The story briefly mentioned Harper's work and stated the research was being funded by Nike. Barkley said he was unaware of the reports but doubled down, saying children are too young to be exposed to the life-altering drugs. 'I don't even think anybody knows who they are as a young kid. So I think we have to be very careful because you don't want to put kids in a disadvantageous situation, because, hey, when you get older, you can make your own decision,' he said. 'I think we have to be very careful screwing around with kids because they're not fully developed as a person.' The 11-time All-Star also brushed past the notion of a trend in transgender youth because parents don't listen to 'half the sh*t our kids say.'
National Post
09-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Charles Barkley gives heated response in 'stupid' debate about transgender athletes
Charles Barkley is a man who never shies away from controversial topics, no matter which side he lands on. Article content Article content On Thursday, he weighed in on the hot-button topic of transgender athletes in sports, an issue that has caused heated debate over the past few years. Article content The basketball legend, who currently serves an NBA analyst, was very blunt with his take during an appearance on Meet Pat Spencer, the NBA's most unlikely player who went from lacrosse legend to the Leagueance on Outkick's Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich. Barkley called those who support transgender athletes being able to compete in women's sports 'stupid.' Article content 'I'm gonna make this very simple for you, Dan: Men should not play sports against women,' Barkley said. 'I'm not gonna get into all the bulls*** that's going on out here in the world today. Article content CHARLES BARKLEY: 'I do not under any circumstances, zero, think that men should play sports against women.' 'I'm done. I don't wanna hear you try to explain it to me.' COMMON SENSE IS MAKING A COMEBACK🔥👇🏼 — TONY™ (@TONYxTWO) May 9, 2025 Article content Barkley reiterated his support for the LGBTQ community, but said he won't back down in his stance regarding trans athletes' inclusion in competitive sports. Article content 'I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%. But I do not, under any circumstances — zero — think that men should play sports against women,' he said. Article content Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning biological males from women's sports, threatening schools to either comply or face the loss of federal funds. Article content A day later, the NCAA changed its eligibility policies for transgender competitors. Article content Barkley, an NBA hall of famer, said that no amount of public pressure would get him to change his stance on the subject. Article content 'If anybody has a problem with that, they're gonna have to get over it because I'm not gonna change my (mind). I just think it's wrong, period,' he said. Article content 'If people disagree with me, I'm good with that. Hey, we disagree, I'm not mad at you, I don't hate you, I'm not going to call you names because that's just silly and stupid. Article content 'I'm never going to think it's alright for men to play sports against women.' Article content While the outspoken star has shared controversial opinions in the past, he didn't feel like this was one of them. Article content Article content 'I don't even think that's controversial,' he added. 'When you see these debates on TV … I'm done, I don't wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don't wanna hear it. I'm not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn't play sports against women. I'm done.' Article content Dakich had broached the subject with Barkley by asking the 11-time all-star about unfounded reports that Nike had funded a study on transgender children in sports that looked at the effects of hormone therapy and puberty blockers on 'trans adolescents.' Article content Barkley said he was unaware of the reports but then said that he felt children should not be exposed to the life-altering drugs. Article content 'I don't even think anybody knows who they are as a young kid. So, I think we have to be very careful because you don't want to put kids in a disadvantageous situation, because, hey, when you get older, you can make your own decision,' he said. 'I think we have to be very careful screwing around with kids because they're not fully developed as a person.' Article content
