Canadian transgender college basketball player speaks out about verbal, physical mistreatment

A transgender college basketball player in Canada says she was physically targeted by opponents during a game after their coach said she shouldn't be allowed to play against women.

Harriette Mackenzie, a 21-year-old forward for Vancouver Island University, spoke with The Canadian Press and on social media in hopes that sharing what happened will help.

"I'm proud of my story. And I want to make something very clear — queer, trans and nonbinary people belong in sport," she said in a social media video. "And there is zero space in this league for hate, violence and bigotry."

The Mariners (4-0) won a pair of home games last week against Canadian Bible College. After the first game, Mackenzie said, CBC coach Taylor Claggett yelled at a VIU staff member that Mackenzie — who led both teams with 19 points and 16 rebounds — shouldn't be allowed to play against women.

During the second game a day later, Mackenzie said she was physically targeted by her opponents and she later shared a video from the game where, away from the ball, a CBC player tosses her to the floor. Mackenzie finished with 14 points and four rebounds as her team won again.

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CBC, an evangelical Mennonite college, issued a statement late Thursday saying it feels Mackenzie's video "does not accurately represent all the events that took place."

"Taylor Claggett was speaking out for the safety of her players like any good coach would do," the statement said. "We stand in support of Taylor Claggett, and all our coaches, in expressing their legitimate concerns for the safety of our student-athletes."

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