Coach Of Top Women’s College Basketball Team Says Men Should Play Against Females

Coach Dawn Staley

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Popular South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is speaking out and expressing her backing for transgender athletes.

Transgender athletes

NBC

When questioned about her stance on transgender athletes in sports during a media session before her team’s game against Iowa in the women’s national championship, Staley shared her support.

Staley said

ESPN

“You got deep on me, didn’t you?” Staley said. “I’m on 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

ESPN

“That’s my opinion. You want me to go deeper?” she said.

Potential criticism

Youtube

Staley was resolute when directly questioned about whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports, recognizing the potential criticism she might face.

Distraction

Youtube

“Yes, yes,” Staley said. “So now the barnstormer people are going to flood my timeline and be a distraction to me on one of the biggest days of our game, and I’m OK with that. I really am.”

Coach Lisa Bluder

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Later in the day, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder faced the same questions during her media session but chose not to respond.

People are interested

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“I understand it’s a topic that people are interested in,” Bluder said. “But today my focus is on the game tomorrow, my players.”

Important game

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“It’s an important game we have tomorrow, and that’s what I want to be here to talk about. But I know it’s an important issue for another time,” she added.

Attention nationwide

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The issue of transgender athletes participating in sports has gained significant attention nationwide in recent years.

April 2023

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In April 2023, the federal government took action as the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would prevent individuals assigned male at birth from joining girls’ and women’s teams at schools receiving federal funding.

219-203 vote

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This legislation, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, was introduced by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) and passed with a 219-203 vote along party lines.

U.S. House of Representatives

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in April 2023 to prevent individuals assigned male at birth from joining girls’ and women’s teams at federally funded schools.

Party-line vote

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The bill, sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), passed on a party-line vote of 219-203.