by Outspoken Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has been branded a “transphobe” for the second time in two weeks after claiming a “biological male” will be playing in the NBL1 South women’s league this season.
The 38-year-old father of two posted a sort of call to action on Monday morning, writing of his distaste that the women’s semi-professional league, which includes teams from Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, will reportedly allow “biological men” to play.
“The point is that NBL1 South Women will have a biological male player in the upcoming season. Do you agree with sacrificing the sanctity of women’s sport in the name of “inclusion”? – he wrote.
“#GirlDads where are you? The hashtag is in vogue until action is needed.
This quickly sparked a storm of controversy, with some finding him “transphobic” and misogynistic, while others shared his outrage.
Andrew Bogut, pictured with his son Luca in 2019, has caused a storm of controversy and has been labeled “transphobic” for suggesting that the NBL1 South women’s league will feature a “biological male” this season
Bogut criticized the league for allegedly allowing a “biological male” to play this year’s games (pictured: last season’s NBL1 South Women’s Champion, Ringwood)
“Why do you think you and the fathers of girls should be responsible for who plays women’s sports? Much patriarchy? one commented.
AFLW and NBL1 star author Saraid Taylor was a bit more scathing towards Bogut, sarcastically thanking him for his “caring” and labeling him “transphobic” for his views.
“Hey, thank you so much for your concern for the sanctity of women’s sport. It seems genuine,” she said, lashing out at his post on social media.
“If you wouldn’t mind using your energy to highlight the legitimate concerns of female athletes instead of perpetuating transphobia, that would be greatly appreciated!
The angry star athlete then slapped Bogut for revealing what club the “biological male” played for – followed by a stream of outrage directed at the club.
“It’s insanely irresponsible. It makes me sad to read most of the comments you get on your tweets,” Taylor said.
‘Does it make you sad? Or do you enjoy the power you have to cultivate hatred in the world?
Richmond Tigers AFLW star – and NBL1 South player – Saraid Taylor slammed Bogut’s comments and called him ‘transphobic’
Bogut returned her clapping, telling Taylor that she actually “doesn’t mind men taking over women’s sports” as she doesn’t mind playing against or with a transgender player.
“It saddens me that you agree that women’s sport and spaces for women are being taken over by men. I do not tolerate any abuse towards… the player, nor do I blame the player. I blame the league/club administrator and activists for allowing this to happen,” said Bogut.
Others have criticized Bogut and his followers for being “paternalistic and patriotic” for showing interest or concern for the women’s NBL1 South purely out of outrage.
“Many of the women in the comp already know, and most won’t admit it. Stop spreading fear and speaking up for women,” a gender studies professor wrote to the editor of basketball news site The Pick and Roll, Damien Arsenis.
Others disagreed and said it was “disgusting” that a “biological male” could play in a women’s league in the name of “inclusion”.
One of them was NBL legend Matt Shanahan, who is now a coach since hanging up his boots after 414 career games – the second highest in league history.
The three-time Premiership winner has said he has a daughter playing in the league and doesn’t seem to believe it should be allowed.
“I’m the dad of a girl who has a 16-year-old daughter on the NBL 1 South roster who was asked if she would be okay with it. Opening a huge can of worms if that’s allowed,” he said.
NBA and Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut said allowing a transgender player in women’s sport would violate its “sanctity”
“Enough. Is it an inclusion? Tell you how about they start their own league and let them play fair with their own open minded people,” one fan wrote, while another said “that’s just cheating and also robbing the biological woman of the occasion.”
NRL star Josh Aloiai, who was one of seven Manly players who refused to wear the rainbow jersey and had previously spoken openly about renouncing the “homosexual lifestyle”, also shared his disgust on Bogut’s Instagram post with a series of angry emojis.
It comes just two weeks after Bogut was heavily criticized for slamming Football Australia for having a “gender identity not sufficiently represented” option on their registration forms.
Bogut explained he was trying to enroll his six-year-old to play football and shared a photo of the gender selection options available.
“Male”, “female”, “non-binary/gender fluid” and “underrepresented gender identity” have been included in the drop-down menu.
Signing our 6 YEARS!, Again 6 YEARS! to soccer. Come on @FootballAus,” the NBA champion tweeted.
This quickly caused a storm of controversy, with many suggesting that Bogut was a “snowflake” because he was intimidated by the inclusion option on the form.
“I know that when I enrolled my child under 6, I just chose the right option and moved on with my life. Because I know that these options, although they do not apply to me, may apply to someone who wants to play football and that this form is the same for everyone,” wrote a scathing fan.
Former Sydney Kings star Andrew Bogut has recently caused a firestorm of controversy on social media over his views on transgender and gender-nonconforming people
Basketball Australia guidelines state that transgender players in elite competitions such as the WNBL (pictured are the Melbourne Boomers team during their semi-final game on Saturday) are accepted or rejected on a case-by-case basis
Transgender athletes playing in women’s sports have become a controversial topic in the last few years, and last month they rearranged their ugly head again.
A Christian school in America lost a state championship playoff game after discovering that their opponent, the Long Trail Mountain Lions, had a transgender player.
‘We [Vermont Christian School] withdrew from the tournament because we believe that playing against a biological male opponent threatens the integrity of the game and the safety of our players,” the school’s principal told Fox News.
“Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the overall future of women’s sports.”
Basketball Australia’s Transgender Inclusion says transgender players in elite or sub-elite competitions will be “determined on a case-by-case basis”.
Daily Mail Australia contacted NBL1 South for comment.
