Controversy in America as college chief calls trans athletes 'men masquerading as women' during meeting

Controversy in America as college chief calls trans athletes 'men masquerading as women' during meeting

WATCH NOW: BBC blasted after trans controversy

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 07/03/2024

- 12:34

Updated: 07/03/2024

- 12:35

The gender debate in sport continues to rumble on

A Nevada college oversight leader has sparked a backlash after calling trans athletes 'men masquerading as women' during a recent meeting.

Patrick Boylan made the comments during a meeting of the Nevada System of Higher Education's Board of Regents last Friday.


A Nevada college oversight leader has sparked a backlash after calling trans athletes 'men masquerading as women' during a recent meeting.

Patrick Boylan made the comments during a meeting of the Nevada System of Higher Education's Board of Regents last Friday.

Patrick Boylan

Patrick Boylan sparked a backlash by referring to trans athletes as 'men masquerading as women'

GETTY/YOUTUBE

Board attorney Michael Wixom advised it was against federal privacy laws to disclose that information.

He also warned directors against responding and said any question would need to be asked on a separate agenda.

The Nevada Faculty Alliance have also vented their fury following the comments from Boylan.

The alliance said it was 'especially appalled' by the regent's 'aggressive response' to a student leader who scolded him for his views.

“We are especially appalled by his aggressive response to a student leader who gave public comment decrying remarks made earlier in the meeting," a statement read.

President of the Nevada State Student Alliance, Kevin Osorio-Hernandez, told Boylan he was disappointed by his words.

He also expressed hope that Boylan would 'expand and chane your paradigm'.

But Boylan refused to back down.

The college chief told the student he had freedom of speech and doubled down on his initial comments.

"If he has not had his 'you know what' cut off or anything, he's still a man," he said.

Boylan has since spoken to the Las Vegas Review.

And he's made it clear he has no plans on resigning from his position.

"Of course not," he said on Wednesday.

Boylan also said he believes he's doing the right thing by talking about the safety of female athletes.

The safety of people and freedom of speech are more important than one group asking him to resign, he claimed.

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Patrick Boylan

Patrick Boylan made the comments during a recent college meeting

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Boylan also says he's received emails and phone calls commending him for his actions.

“They’re tired of all of this woke nonsense," he claimed.

Boylan did, however, admit that he may have used the wrong terms.

"If I used the wrong terms, then OK," he stated while also noting he's unsure of what all the terms are.

Boylan still feels transgender athletes should be able to take part in sport and have their own groups.

Patrick Boylan

Patrick Boylan is refusing to apologise for his comments on trans athletes

NSHENEVADA

However, he reiterated that transgender athletes are much stronger, taller and bigger than women - regardless of what transformations they undergo.

Board of Regents Chair Amy Carvalho and Vice Chair Jeffrey Downs have apologised for any offence caused following the meeting.

“In our perspective, public derogatory remarks directed at an individual or a class of individuals is inconsistent with the core values of our NSHE institutions, as evidenced by the Regents’ Anti-Discrimination Resolution passed by the Board in September of 2022,” they wrote.

They also said the board will 'continue to work with the chancellor's office to ensure that NSHE's campuses are safe and welcoming spaces for everyone'.

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