The College Fix

Claims HE is at a ‘major biological disadvantage’

A trans-female basketball player at Canada’s Vancouver Island University is very upset at a division rival squad for “questioning her right to play,” and alleges “verbal and physical mistreatment” by its members.

Harriette Mackenzie, a biological male, told The Canadian Press that Columbia Bible College coach Taylor Claggett “went on a ‘tirade'” after losing to VIU back in October.

Claggett allegedly berated a member of the VIU team staff about how Mackenzie “shouldn’t be allowed to play against women,” and a social media account “linked” to the coach “posted anti-trans messages” following the game.

When the two teams played again the next day, Mackenzie claims Columbia players “physically targeted her” and showed a video of a player “tossing [‘her’] to the ground” away from the play.

Columbia Bible College is an evangelical Mennonite institution.

Mackenzie (pictured) filed a complaint with the Pacific Western Athletic Association, but “she” said the organization neither investigated the matter nor meted out any consequences. PACWEST disputes the former charge.

In a letter to Vancouver Island U. and PACWEST officials, members of the VIU women’s b-ball squad wrote “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.”

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The letter also suggested players were told that if they feel unsafe, they should stay behind and not play in the games

“You are asking us to risk our safety or forfeit a game and lose our standing,” it read. “You are suggesting we divide and some of us go play while leaving those who feel the most unsafe behind. What kind of choices are those? You should be standing with us, standing up for safe and fair play.”

The team, ranked first in the conference and fifth in the country with an 11-1 record, said it will not play at CBC until PACWEST suspends Claggett, moves the provincial championship to a venue other than CBC, and requires the school to commit to a “zero-tolerance policy for hate and discrimination.”

In a statement, VIU Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Irlanda Gonzalez-Price said that “after carefully considering the concerns raised by our student-athletes and coaching staff,” the VIU women’s team would not play against Columbia Bible College this coming weekend.

“VIU stands in full support of our student-athletes and affirms the right of all athletes to compete in an environment that prioritizes their safety and well-being,” Gonzalez-Price wrote. “Intimidation, harassment, and discrimination have no place in athletics. We trust PACWEST to uphold its principles and prioritize the safety and inclusion of all participants in collegiate sports.”

According to HeCheated.org, which purports to “document every instance of men and boys stealing from female athletes in women’s sports,” as of early November Mackenzie led the team in free throws, blocks, rebounds, and points.

In addition, Mackenzie has switched schools/teams several times in “her” college career, also competing at Ontario Tech and Mount Royal University. At the latter, “she” set five women’s basketball records and tied two others.

Nevertheless, Mackenzie claimed “she” is “at a competitive disadvantage” when it comes to “muscle mass and recovery” as “she” began transitioning in “kindergarten or first grade.”

“I’m playing […] at a major biological disadvantage,” Mackenzie said. “I never went through male puberty, I only went through female puberty.”

Mackenzie added “I believe all trans people should be included in sport.”

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IMAGES: Nanaimo News Now/X

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