Roughly 20 activists wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel were forcibly escorted out of a Portland Thorns match on Friday night after a banner reading Save Women’s Sports sparked a violent confrontation with transgender inclusion supporters at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
Activists Ejected After Banner Unfurled At Providence Park
The confrontation unfolded during the Portland Thorns match against the North Carolina Courage at Providence Park, a fixture designated by the club as its Fan Appreciation night. According to early accounts, the demonstrators entered the stadium with their XX-XY shirts concealed through the first half of the game. As the second half began, they revealed the apparel and unfurled a large banner bearing the slogan Save Women’s Sports
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The demonstration drew an immediate and hostile reaction from nearby spectators identified as supporters of transgender inclusion.
We were attacked by fans. We were hit with flags. We had drinks thrown at us. Other people were forcibly pushed out the door. We had an ADA woman in a walker, she was forcibly pushed out the door. They let these people hit us with flags, another woman was punched in the face, all because we wanted to stand there in our shirts to protect girls sports.
Amy Sousa, via Foxnews
Demonstrator Brandi Kruse questioned why only her group was targeted by stadium personnel. I asked the security guard,
Kruse said according to LGBTQ Nation, adding that two security guards grabbed her and escorted her out.Why are we being asked to leave and they’re not being asked to leave?
If you want all of us to leave, that’s another thing, but just us?
Director of security Jim McCausland was texted for comment, per OutKick’s request, but said he did not have time to talk.
Police Respond And Department Of Justice Opens Review
The Portland Police Bureau confirmed that officers were called in when individuals refused to leave and blocked an exit by laying down.
Sgt. Kevin Allen stated that off-duty officers working at the venue separated two groups with opposing viewpoints outside the stadium to maintain public safety, and opened case files for alleged harassment and alleged vandalism.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced it is reviewing the clash. A department spokesperson told reporters that officials are examining the reports thoroughly and will take action where warranted by facts and law. An official added that the conduct appeared to raise First Amendment and viewpoint discrimination questions rather than sex discrimination issues. The Justice Department has not announced any formal charges or cited specific statutory violations regarding the incident.
Stadium History And Political Campaigns Precede Clash
The incident follows an earlier ejection at Providence Park on September 6, when stadium officials removed Sousa and other demonstrators for wearing XX-XY apparel. Following that earlier removal, members of the group went to the Sports Bra, a Portland women’s sports bar showing the game, where staff also asked them to leave after they displayed the brand logo, sparking subsequent rallies and counterprotests.
Organizers involved in the XX-XY Athletics demonstrations have also been active in political campaigns, including supporting Washington’s ballot measure I-638, which seeks to restrict participation in school sports based on biological sex. Holly Brown of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization told KGW8 at the time that Sousa is a known transphobic influencer who does these things for attention.
While the National Women’s Soccer League and the WNBA do not have policies automatically excluding male-born players, ballot measures addressing school athletics are scheduled for voter consideration in Washington and Colorado.
What statutory violations the Justice Department will cite remains unannounced.