Transgender college basketball player in Canada speaks out about verbal, physical abuse

NANAIMO, British Columbia – A transgender college basketball player in Canada says she was physically targeted by opponents during a game after their coach told her she couldn’t play against women.

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

“I am proud of my story. And I want to make something very clear: queer, trans and non-binary people belong in sports,” she said in a video on social media. “And there is no room for hatred, violence and bigotry in this competition.”

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

During the second match a day later, Mackenzie said she was physically targeted by her opponents and later shared a video of the match in which a CBC player throws her to the ground away from the ball. Mackenzie finished with 14 points and four rebounds as her team won again.

CBC, an evangelical Mennonite college, issued a statement late Thursday saying Mackenzie’s video “does not accurately reflect all of the events that occurred.”

“Taylor Claggett spoke out for the safety of her players, as any good coach would do,” the statement said. “We stand with Taylor Claggett and all of our coaches in raising their legitimate concerns about the safety of our student-athletes.”

Transgender rights have been a major issue in the US presidential race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, who responded to the controversy surrounding a San Jose State University volleyball player by threatening to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports.

On Friday, following Mackenzie’s comments, the Pacific Western Conference acknowledged the “public attention” and said “all student-athletes deserve an inclusive environment free from harassment, where respect and personal dignity are guiding values. Harassment or intimidation of PACWEST student-athletes will not be tolerated.”

The league noted that it follows the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s policy regarding the participation of transgender athletes, which includes parameters for testosterone levels and hormone suppressants and replacements. Mackenzie said she has much lower testosterone levels than her teammates and competitors.

“I’m at a competitive disadvantage in terms of recovery and muscle mass,” said Mackenzie, who said she started the transition when she was in kindergarten or first grade.

Critics always attribute her success to being transgender, says Mackenzie, whose parents both played college basketball.

“I believe that all transgender people should be involved in sports. But it especially infuriates me because I am playing – and being forced to play – at a major biological disadvantage,” she said. “I’ve never experienced male puberty. I have only experienced female puberty. And I don’t have ovaries, I don’t have testicles, so there’s no way I can produce testosterone.”

Mackenzie told CP that what she experienced last weekend is nothing new and that she has been ostracized and attacked by players, coaches and fans throughout her basketball career. Last season, Mackenzie played at a college in Calgary and said the lack of support after a teammate’s transphobic comments prompted her to return home and eventually return to VIU, where she helped her team win a national championship in 2023.

“The difference just in terms of fun and team chemistry and everything was a lot of fun,” she said. “This is how I remember the feeling of basketball and how I remember enjoying it.”