- Calkins' final straw was a column about who opposed competing against biological males and attended a Seattle Storm game to support Sophie Cunningham's stance on trans athletes in women's sports.
- The Seattle Times spiked the column, leading Calkins to resign, stating he couldn't work there anymore because he didn't feel he had free speech.
- Gee publicly criticized the decision, stating that the paper made a mistake and should have printed the column, emphasizing that opinion columns should be published if they meet the paper's standards.
- Gee's stance includes the belief that someone born male should not compete in girls' sports, but he also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the humanity of transgender individuals.
- Gee raised concerns about the motivations behind the outrage regarding transgender athletes, suggesting that it may be driven by profit rather than genuine concern for women's sports.
- Ursula, a commentator, noted that Calkins' basic premise was that agreeing with Cunningham's position on trans athletes should not automatically label someone as transphobic, highlighting concerns about censorship.
Matt Calkins resigned from The Seattle Times after the publication spiked his column discussing Sophie Cunningham's stance on trans athletes in women's sports. Calkins expressed frustration over the decision, stating, "I just didn’t feel like I could do my job anymore" due to perceived censorship.12
Calkins' column highlighted the ongoing debate about transgender athletes competing in women's sports, a topic that has sparked significant controversy. He argued that agreeing with Cunningham's position should not be seen as transphobic, emphasizing the need for open dialogue. "If they’re only printing one point of view, then that is absolutely censorship," said Ursula, a fellow journalist.
Gee, another journalist, criticized the decision, stating, "You print it, you don’t spike it", and pointed out that the paper's actions contradicted the principles of free speech. He noted that there are approximately 2.8 million transgender Americans aged 13 and older, highlighting the importance of considering diverse perspectives in the conversation.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) oversees over 200,000 student-athletes in Washington, yet is aware of only about 10 trans athletes competing statewide, indicating that the issue may affect a relatively small number of individuals. Calkins' resignation raises questions about the role of media in fostering open discussions on sensitive topics, particularly in the context of sports and gender identity.
“Calkins said he was 'basically ready' for the spiking given past columns that were also spiked, and he felt he couldn't do his job without free speech. Gee also noted that roughly 2.8 million transgender Americans exist, about 1% of the population, and urged consistency in protecting girls and women.”
