Recent WNBA draft pick Angel Reese is calling for “young women” to be protected in sports in an apparent reference to the ongoing debate about the inclusion of trans athletes in girls’ and women’s athletics.
Reese, formerly of LSU and now a member of the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, posted the emphatic statement on X Monday morning.
“Protect young women in sports!!!”
protect young women in sports!!!
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 22, 2024
Reese did not specifically say that her post was about female-identifying males infiltrating women’s sports. However, her post came only days after the Biden administration expanded the definition of sex to include gender identity under Title IX.
Another possibility is that Reese could have been talking about the sexualization of female athletes. A topic she spoke about following LSU’s elimination in the Elite 8.
“Death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened…I’m still a human. All this has happened since I won the national championship, and I said the other day, I haven’t been happy since then,” Reese said.
Whatever she meant, her post went viral and was, for the most part, very well-received.
Damn it. I just became a fan of Angel Reese. https://t.co/7lD8TC0oQK
— Kid Dynamite (@Kidynamite22) April 22, 2024
It takes an aweful amount of courage for a someone in your position to say something like this, even though it should be common sense. Gained a supporter today! Keep it going, no matter how intense the pressure becomes.
— Michael Holder (@mholder06) April 22, 2024
It’s unfortunate that this statement needs to be said, but nonetheless you are spot on, Angel.
Best of luck to you & your WNBA career!
— Coach Russo (@MrRussoHealth) April 22, 2024
This is the way 🇺🇸
— Mayra Flores Vallejo (@MayraFloresTX34) April 22, 2024
It’s insane that this even needs to be said.
— Cee Deelicious (@iii_ronto) April 22, 2024
You just gained a fan!
Our young female athletes need role models that have their back!— Kim Shasby Jones (@KimJonesICONS) April 22, 2024
Thank you!
— Conservative Momma (@conmomma) April 22, 2024
Whether Reese meant protecting women’s sports from trans athletes or from sexualization, it’s still a worthy cause.
Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky takes a selfie during the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 14, 2024, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York. (Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Good for Angel!