A protest over the participation of transgender athletes in girls' sports took place during a Portland Thorns soccer game last week, highlighting a contentious issue ahead of several ballot initiatives in the United States. The demonstration occurred at a National Women’s Soccer League match in Portland, Oregon, as the Thorns sought a playoff berth.
A group of about two dozen protesters, affiliated with XX-XY Athletics, an organization opposing transgender participation in women’s sports, positioned themselves in general admission seats near the official fan group for the Thorns, the Rose City Riveters. The Riveters are known for their progressive stances, particularly on LGBTQ rights, and their enthusiasm for the team. The protesters unveiled “Save Women’s Sports” banners and wore shirts supporting their cause shortly after halftime, prompting a vocal backlash from nearby fans. The confrontation escalated into a physical scuffle that ended with the protesters being escorted out of the stadium.
Brandi Kruse, a conservative podcaster based in Seattle who participated in the protest, acknowledged the demonstration was planned with the intent of raising awareness about state-level ballot measures. The group is promoting a Washington State initiative that would bar transgender girls from competing in girls’ school sports from kindergarten through high school. The proposal requires students to submit evidence from a healthcare provider verifying their sex, using criteria such as physical examination, genetic testing, or analysis of testosterone levels.
Opponents of the ballot measure, including the advocacy group No Hate in Washington State, say the initiative’s sex verification requirements represent one of the most invasive approaches in the country and would harm all female athletes. Supporters argue the measure is necessary to protect fair competition and women’s sports spaces.
The controversy comes as several states confront similar issues at their ballot boxes. Besides Washington, Colorado and three other states have initiatives related to transgender athletes currently under consideration. Twenty-seven states, primarily those with Republican leadership, have already implemented bans on transgender girls’ participation in girls’ sports. According to a June poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, 70 percent of registered voters nationally oppose allowing transgender girls and women to compete on girls’ and women’s sports teams.
Portland Police confirmed their involvement after two protesters blocked stadium exits; officers reported no injuries but noted allegations of harassment and vandalism. The National Women’s Soccer League said it is reviewing the incident to ensure consistent enforcement of its fan conduct policies. The Thorns declined to comment on the matter.
The Rose City Riveters’ steering committee criticized the protesters as pushing a “bigoted political agenda,” emphasizing that the fan group uses flags and scarves to shield fans from what they call hateful messaging. The group also noted that this was not the first such protest to occur at Thorns games this season.
The episode occurs amid ongoing legal and policy battles over transgender athletes’ participation in sports. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld laws in two states banning transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports, yet Washington currently allows transgender athletes to compete in accordance with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s rules. This policy was recently scrutinized after a transgender high school athlete who switched from the boys’ category to the girls’ division finished second in a regional cross-country meet, sparking protests. Should the Washington ballot initiative pass, the state’s existing regulations permitting transgender participation would be replaced by the proposed restrictions.