Refuses to stay silent
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A college volleyball player is emulating Riley Gaines by standing up against the sports industry’s failure to protect female athletes from the intrusion of biological males into their spaces.
Macy Petty
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“There’s a lot of money in sports and these coaches, their jobs are dependent on them winning,” Macy Petty told “Varney & Co.” guest host David Asman on Monday.
No rules
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“So, if there’s no rules from the NCAA saying that it has to be a female that occupies this female scholarship spot, then they’re going to go out and recruit whoever’s going to win. Unfortunately, because of biological advantages, they’re going to go out and recruit men now.”
NCAA athlete’s
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The NCAA athlete’s apprehensions arise as reports indicate that The University of Washington, a Division 1 school, has granted a women’s volleyball scholarship to 17-year-old transgender athlete Tate Drageset.
Riley Gaines
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Riley Gaines, who has been outspoken on the issue of allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports, accused Drageset of “stealing the already few opportunities for women at the collegiate level” in a fiery X post last Wednesday.
Withdrew
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According to LGBTQ+ news outlet LGBTQ+ Nation, the university withdrew the scholarship following public outcry.
Petty
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Petty, like Gaines, is troubled by what she perceives as missed opportunities, along with a range of other concerns such as the potential for physical harm as female athletes compete against opponents with biological advantages.
Injuries
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Asman highlighted an incident during the Monday segment involving a female athlete in California who allegedly sustained lasting injuries after being struck by a ball spiked by a transgender athlete.
Heartbreaking
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“It’s heartbreaking. We’re seeing it from coast to coast,” Petty replied. “Just last year, we saw something very similar in North Carolina. This is very uncommon for volleyball, but this is what happens when you put men on the court with other female athletes.”
Biological male
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Petty mentioned that although she has never directly observed a situation where a female athlete was injured by a biological male, she has competed against one.
Scholarships
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“Thankfully, no injuries occurred, but it was in front of college scouts and so our scholarships were at risk,” she explained.
Clarify the rules
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Petty said she would like to see the NCAA “clarify the rules that girls’ sports are for girls only.”
Concerns
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Similar concerns like hers have been brought to attention in various sports and levels of competition.
Selina Soule
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Selina Soule, a track athlete from Connecticut, for instance, sued the state over its “unfair” transgender sports policy and argued that women are being “robbed.”
Freedom
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As per Alliance Defending Freedom, the entire U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit revived the lawsuit filed by Soule and three other female athletes.
Obstacles
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Riley Gaines encountered obstacles of her own when she shared the top spot with transgender athlete Lia Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
Transitioned
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Thomas transitioned to the University of Pennsylvania women’s swim team following three years of competing on the men’s team.
