Dawn Staley, the celebrated coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, has made headlines for her vocal support of transgender athletes participating in sports according to their gender identity.
Staley's remarks come on the heels of her team's triumphant victory in the NCAA championship, marking their third title under her leadership. During a pre-game interview with Dan Zaksheske of OutKick, a Fox-owned sports outlet, Staley was asked about her stance on transgender athletes, whom Zaksheske initially referred to as "biological males."
In response, she affirmed her support for inclusivity, asserting:
"Damn, you got deep on me, didn't you? 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.”
Staley's unwavering advocacy for trans athletes extended to college basketball, as she boldly affirmed her belief that trans women should be permitted to participate in response to another question from Zaksheske:
"Yes, yes. 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."
You can watch what happened in the video below.
In stark contrast to Staley's outspoken support, Iowa coach Lisa Bluder opted not to comment on the issue, emphasizing her focus on the upcoming game:
"I understand it's a topic that people are interested in. But today my focus is on the game tomorrow, my players. 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."
Many have praised Staley for her spirited defense.
Staley's remarks emerge against the backdrop of ongoing legislative debates regarding transgender athlete participation.
The passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act by the House of Representatives has reignited discussions on the subject. The bill seeks to restrict individuals assigned male at birth from competing in women's sports at federally funded institutions, including colleges and universities. However, its progression in the Senate remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has adapted its policy on trans athlete inclusion, aligning with the guidelines established by the Olympics. The updated policy allows for a sport-specific approach, granting autonomy to national governing bodies and international federations to set rules accordingly.
