A transgender teenager was booed at an Oregon sports stadium after winning a race during the state’s high school track and field championship. McDaniel High School sophomore Aayden Gallagher faced backlash on social media and from spectators after winning the 200-meter race at the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Track and Field State Championships. Critics argued that Gallagher’s participation in the girls’ division was unfair, stating that individuals assigned male at birth are typically stronger and faster than those assigned female at birth. Some hurled transphobic insults at the high schooler, reflecting a divisive debate over transgender athletes in sports.
Videos of the incident quickly went viral, with individuals like former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and the far-right social media account Libs of TikTok condemning Gallagher’s win. Both criticized the outcome, with Gaines sarcastically commenting on the situation and Libs of TikTok highlighting the audience’s negative reaction. Despite the backlash, the OSAA, which oversees high school athletics in Oregon, did not provide immediate comment on Gallagher’s win, the response from the crowd, or the resulting backlash. Portland Public Schools, the district operating McDaniel High School, stated that they were following OSAA rules but declined further comment on the matter.
The controversy surrounding Gallagher’s win is part of an ongoing debate over the participation of transgender athletes, especially transgender girls and women, in sports that align with their gender identities. A Gallup poll revealed that 69% of Americans believe that trans athletes should only compete on teams corresponding to their assigned birth sex, with half of U.S. states enforcing bans on transgender students participating in school sports based on gender identity. The OSAA’s policy on trans athletes allows students to compete based on their asserted gender identity without requiring transition-related medical care.
Twelve Republican state lawmakers condemned the OSAA’s policy on trans athletes in April, specifically mentioning Gallagher’s participation in high school track and field. LGBTQ sports site Outsports founder Cyd Zeigler criticized the backlash against Gallagher, calling it “disgusting” and expressing concern over the impact on teenagers facing such criticism. Zeigler emphasized that Gallagher did not break any rules in participating in the girls’ track race and stated that the issue lies with the rulemakers rather than the teenager herself. The situation highlights the complexity and controversy surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports.
Overall, the incident involving Aayden Gallagher at the Oregon high school track and field championship brought attention to the ongoing debate over transgender athletes’ participation in sports. The negative response from spectators and critics reflects broader societal divisions on the issue, with strong opinions on both sides. While some argue that transgender individuals should compete based on their assigned birth sex, others advocate for inclusivity and respect for gender identity. The situation serves as a reminder of the challenges and barriers faced by transgender athletes and the importance of creating a fair and supportive environment for all participants in sports.
