All the players of the Vancouver Island University women’s basketball team signed a letter stating that they will not be playing in two games at the Columbia Bible College because of the way it handled their trans teammate in a previous game.
Both institutions are members of the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) in Canada. According to Times Colonist writer Cleve Dheensaw, the conference “permits transgender athletes to participate if they comply with the Canadian anti-doping program, which limits testosterone below a certain level”.
The incident
Forward Harriette Mackenzie, who identifies as transgender, is on Vancouver Island’s team roster. After a game between the two institutions on October 25, Mackenzie accused Taylor Claggett, the coach of Columbia Bible College, of yelling to a Vancouver Island staff member that Mackenzie should not be allowed to compete against cisgender women.
As the two schools played again, Mackenzie said that the Columbia players physically harassed her throughout the game, and she supported her claims with video footage of one of the Columbia opponents pushing her to the ground and away from the ball.
Following the games, the Columbia Bible College released a statement in support of Claggett, stating that she was “speaking out for the safety of our players like any good coach would do”. The school also told Fox News digital that “CBC stands for safe play for all. Accusations that CBC, its coaches, players, and fans are a safety threat are simply untrue and misinformed.”
Moreover, Mackenzie complained to PACWEST, but it didn’t seem to have any effect. The Vancouver Island players addressed the conference in their letter, saying: “By doing nothing, by saying nothing, by issuing no suspensions or sanctions, your message is clear: you think what happened was OK… We need you to know that we are not OK with what happened. We don’t feel safe playing at CBC or with that team so long as Coach Claggett is still free to behave the way she did. Your inaction isn’t just disappointing. It has made us and the game less safe.”
With an 11-1 record this season, the Vancouver Island Mariners are fifth in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.
Source: Outsports