There are many subjects that get people talking and sometimes, they may even get them arguing. One that seems to be a hot-button topic for many is transgender’s playing in women’s sports.
There’s been a lot of talk about women’s sports in recent months and years, with some saying that transgenders have a part in the sport and others saying that they don’t. In Oregon, it seems to be a difficult subject, especially when you take into consideration what happened at a high school sporting event.
At the Oregon State High School track and Field championship, there was more going on than winning medals and running on the field. Two girls decided to take a stand, and they did so by not taking the stand where they were directed.
Reese Eckard from Sherwood High and Alexa Anderson from Tigard High, both of whom placed highly in the event they were running made headlines. It wasn’t because they could jump high or run fast, it’s because of what they did after the event was over.
You can see in the footage that the two young women are standing on the ground behind the podium where the transgender competitor is standing. They were doing so in protest after the transgender from Ida B Wells High School won the high jump medal.
Oregon girls high jump state championships just finished. 2 of the females refused to step on the podium with the male competitor and an adult official relegated them to the sideline for refusing. THIS MUST END. https://t.co/dxIzL8Qf95 pic.twitter.com/mAVVNBIPhW
— Leigh Ann O'Neill (@LaLONeill) May 31, 2025
In 2023 and 2024, the trans athlete competed in the boys category. This year, however, they were in fifth place, finishing behind Eckard, who placed fourth, and Anderson, who placed third.
Rather than taking the moment on the stand and enjoying receiving their medals, they turned away as the awards were being handed out. When they were confronted by an official, they were told to move out of the way and they walked off and stood to the side.
When the video hit social media, it went viral quickly. Riley Gaines, a conservative commentator is somebody who spoke about it, as they have been critical of transgender athletes in women’s sports in the past.
They said: “Watch this. Two female athletes in Oregon refused to stand on the podium because a boy was awarded a place. Girls have had enough.”
Watch this.
Two female athletes in Oregon refused to stand on the podium because a boy was awarded a place.
Girls have had enough.
pic.twitter.com/MhCgZ2zLou— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 31, 2025
Elsewhere online, the competitors were praised for their act of defiance. There were many who supported them, and they made it clear that it was not about hate, it was about standing up for what you believe.
