NBA legend Charles Barkley recently sparked a conversation about transgender athletes in sports. During an appearance on Dan Dakich’s show, Barkley expressed strong views against allowing men to compete in women’s sports. His remarks came in response to a discussion about Nike reportedly funding a study on gender-affirming care for young boys.
Barkley stated plainly, "Men should not play sports against women." He emphasized his support for the LGBTQ+ community but firmly rejected the idea of men competing in women’s sports. He said, "If anybody thinks that, I think they’re stupid." Barkley believes this issue is straightforward and does not want to engage in debates about it.
The discussion took place after Dakich brought up a New York Times article mentioning a study led by Joanna Harper, a transgender woman and researcher. The study, which Nike is reportedly financing, aims to assess the fitness levels of trans adolescents before and after starting hormone therapy. Barkley voiced concerns about young people making decisions about their gender identity, suggesting that kids might not fully understand who they are at a young age.
He cautioned against putting children in situations that could disadvantage them in sports, stressing the importance of careful consideration in such matters. Barkley’s comments reflect a broader debate on the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sports, a topic that continues to generate significant discussion and differing opinions across the country.