Angel Reese, the former LSU national champion and recent top pick in the WNBA Draft, took to social media on Monday to advocate for the protection of young women in sports. In a straightforward post, the new Chicago Sky star urged her followers to prioritize safeguarding female athletes.
Reese's message garnered significant attention, with over 1.4 million impressions by the afternoon. Her post coincided with the recent unveiling of new rules by the Biden administration aimed at safeguarding LGBTQ+ students and addressing sexual harassment and assault claims on campus. Notably absent from these rules was a provision prohibiting schools from imposing bans on transgender athletes competing against biological females, a decision widely viewed as politically motivated amid ongoing debates around transgender participation in girls' sports.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley had previously expressed her support for transgender athletes in women’s basketball, adding to the ongoing discussion surrounding inclusion in sports.
Reese's advocacy comes amidst her own experiences with heightened scrutiny since helping LSU win the national championship in 2023. Despite securing lucrative NIL deals and appearing in publications like Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition, Reese has faced significant challenges, including harassment, threats, and objectification.
Reflecting on her experiences, Reese emphasized her resilience and determination to support her teammates despite facing adversity. Her candid remarks shed light on the challenges female athletes face both on and off the court, underscoring the importance of protecting women in sports.
