Ladies and gentlemen, gather ‘round as we dive into a story that’s more tangled than a pair of good headphones after a night out! Yes, we’re heading to Vancouver Island University, where basketball isn’t the only thing dribbling – it seems logic and decency are, too!
Now, our protagonist is Harriette Mackenzie, a forward for the VIU Mariners and someone who’s apparently got more resilience than a bouncy castle at a kids’ party. In a recent basketball showdown against Columbia Bible College’s Bearcats, things took a decidedly nasty turn, quicker than you can say “Who fouled who?”
Mackenzie recently took to Instagram – because where better to air grievances than where everyone’s synapses are sizzling from the latest TikTok dances? – to vent about some astonishingly rude behavior displayed not just by players but also by the coaching staff of the Columbia Bible College. I mean, I’ve seen coaching tantrums at sports events, but this is a level of frantic overreaction that could inspire a new dance craze!
It all started after a double-header where VIU emerged victorious. The Bearcats’ coach, Taylor Claggett, apparently got so agitated that she cornered one of the athletic staff and unleashed a tirade about how Mackenzie, a 6-foot-2 trans woman, shouldn’t even be allowed to play. I can imagine the scene: “Excuse me, this is basketball, not a back-alley poker game!”
Now, let’s ponder this, shall we? Mackenzie, despite her size and prowess, has faced abuse throughout her career. “Sadly, situations like this are nothing new to me,” she said, as if she were describing a particularly bad sequel to an awful movie. It seems the only thing bigger than her height is the nonsense she’s had to navigate as a trans athlete.
As the drama unfolded, you might think the Bearcats would take a moment to reconsider. Spoiler alert: they didn’t! Instead, following a game where Mackenzie was targeted during play, the Bearcats’ “strategy” turned to trying to injure her. Good sportsmanship, right? Sounds like a storyline ripped right from a bad action film.
And while we’re at it, Mackenzie shared that she has never undergone male puberty, and her testosterone levels are in fact lower than those of your average cis woman. You’d think facts would matter, but apparently, they’ve been thrown into the same bin as yesterday’s leftovers!
In an age where we’re discussing inclusivity and acceptance, it seems like some folks are still operating in a bygone era, fueled by ignorance and old-school prejudice. Mackenzie’s proud stance for herself and the LGBTQ+ community in sports is a heartfelt reminder that there’s no room for bigotry in any game – even at a Bible college.
Columbia Bible College’s response? Well, they defended their coach’s comments as merely being concerned for the safety of her female athletes. Because heaven forbid a hard drive for success to face reality — it’s not like women have competed against each other in tougher conditions before. The sides are drawn, the lines are clear, and the only thing that seems to be getting lost is the spirit of the game itself!
The governing body, PacWest, weighed in to positively support trans athletes. Canadians are known for their politeness, but I’m hoping they channel that politeness into actually standing up for what’s right.
So, here we are, folks. In a world where we should celebrate athletes’ abilities rather than diminish them for how they identify, we find ourselves struggling against a wave of intolerance and misunderstandings that would make even a comedy writer cringe. It’s clear that Mackenzie won’t be bullied into silence, and may her courage inspire those who fear they take the court — or any arena of life — as themselves.
Raise a cheer for Harriette Mackenzie! If that doesn’t echo louder than the sound of a rubber ball on hardwood, I don’t know what does! Remember, folks: sport should be about teamwork, not tearing each other apart. Until next time, stay cheeky, and keep your balls on the court, not in the dirt!
“Sadly, situations like this are nothing new to me,” stated Harriette Mackenzie, a forward for Vancouver Island University.
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A transgender athlete at Vancouver Island University took to social media, expressing her heartache over mistreatment by opponents during a women’s basketball game against Columbia Bible College last weekend.
VIU forward Harriette Mackenzie posted a powerful video on Instagram, revealing her decision to stand up against the unfortunate mistreatment she experienced.
Mackenzie alleged that after a 69-56 defeat to VIU, the Columbia Bible College Bearcats’ coach, Taylor Claggett, “cornered one of our athletic staff and went on a tirade about how I shouldn’t be allowed to play.”
In a subsequent game two days later, VIU triumphed again, beating the Bearcats 73-58. Mackenzie disclosed that the Bearcats’ tactics had shifted to attempting to injure her.
Mackenzie elaborated, “Sadly, situations like this are nothing new to me. Throughout my entire playing career I’ve been outed and attacked by everyone from players to coaches to fans. They try to invalidate my achievements, from player of the year to national MVP, claiming ‘she only won because he’s trans.’ Many attribute my success not to my hard work and dedication, but to the fact that I am a trans woman.
“These people don’t know my story and they don’t care to. They don’t care about my transition, which began in kindergarten. They don’t care that my testosterone levels are 1/10 of a cis woman due to the absence of reproductive organs, putting me at a significant competitive disadvantage. They don’t care.”
Mackenzie elaborated on her frustration toward the prevailing ignorance that fuels such narratives against her.
“I’m done letting ignorant folks like Taylor and her crew spew hate against me and my community. I’m done staying silent while harmful narratives make today’s queer youth feel as though they don’t belong in sport. I’m proud of my story, and I want to make something very clear: queer, trans, and non-binary people belong in sport, and there’s zero space in this league for hateful violence and bigotry.”
The university responded with a statement confirming Claggett spoke to a member of the VIU athletic department after Friday’s game. They characterized it as expressing concerns for the safety of female athletes due to the impact of a “6’2″ transgender athlete.”
According to the statement, the directors from both schools had a conversation discussing how each institution would voice their concerns regarding the incidents to the Pacific West Athletic Association, the governing body for B.C. university and college sports.
The statement continued, emphasizing that the safety of female students is a priority at the college and acknowledging the complexity of the issue surrounding transgender participation in female college sports.
Columbia Bible College expressed their support for Claggett’s concerns, contending her comments arose from a good coaching perspective prioritizing player safety.
“It is in our view that this scripted video does not accurately represent all the events,” the statement elaborated. “As a result of the video post, false comments and online harassment were directed at Taylor Claggett, CBC Bearcats players, along with coaches and other employees. These comments are completely inappropriate and create an unsafe environment for our players and staff.”
The PacWest released a supportive statement for transgender athletes, emphasizing that all student-athletes deserve an inclusive environment devoid of harassment.
It was noted that the conference follows national policies set by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association, which permits athletes to compete based on their gender identity, contingent on compliance with anti-doping regulations.
PacWest has not issued any comments regarding further investigations into the incident.
Mackenzie, hailing from Comox, was recognized as the most valuable player at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association nationals in 2023 after leading VIU to victory in a tightly contested match against Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu, where she amassed 17 points and 19 rebounds.
Following her previous season with Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary, she returned to VIU. Currently, she has been making a substantial impact on the court, averaging 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for a strong 4-0 record this season.
“I am determined to continue fighting for inclusivity and fairness in sports, and for the rights of all athletes to compete without fear of discrimination,” Mackenzie concluded, underscoring her commitment to the cause.
The coaches and players at Columbia Bible College. We are deeply saddened by this situation and are committed to promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all student-athletes.”
This incident has sparked widespread discussion about the inclusion of transgender athletes in competitive sports. Advocates for trans inclusion, like Mackenzie, argue that participation in sports is a right that should be accessible to all individuals, irrespective of their gender identity. Mackenzie’s situation underscores the necessity for ongoing dialogue and understanding around this sensitive and complex topic.
Mackenzie concluded her video with a powerful message, urging athletes and allies alike to support one another and to stand up against discrimination. “To all the queer and trans athletes out there,” she said, “I see you, I hear you, and you belong here. Let’s create spaces where everyone can thrive and feel safe.”
