Portland Women's Sports Bar Faces Scrutiny Over Inclusivity Policies

The Sports Bra, a Portland bar established to broadcast women's sports, has come under fire for its recent actions and policies that critics argue contradict its founding mission.

The establishment recently gained national attention after a group of customers were asked to leave for wearing XX-XY Athletics T-shirts. Video evidence suggests a server informed the group that their attire was making other patrons uncomfortable, leading to their expulsion despite having already ordered food.

This incident sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many users questioning the bar's commitment to inclusivity. Further examination of the bar's past actions has led some to doubt its dedication to supporting women's sports.

Earlier this year, The Sports Bra announced a boycott of all Women's Elite Rugby matches. The reason cited was the rugby league's decision to align with US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) policy, which disallows transgender athletes from participating. The bar stated its boycott was in solidarity with players and organizers advocating for the league to uphold its values of respect, integrity, and inclusion, adding that "This includes trans women and girls. Always."

XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey pointed out that the bar's activism extends beyond customer attire. The boycott of Women's Elite Rugby, a niche sport with limited visibility, has been criticized for potentially reducing exposure for the athletes and league, with questions arising about who benefits from such a stance.

The bar's actions have been framed by critics as an example of a perceived hypocrisy within certain activist circles, particularly concerning the complexities of gender identity and biological differences in sports. The argument suggests a prioritization of a particular interpretation of inclusion that may marginalize certain groups or perspectives within women's sports.

OutKick reached out to The Sports Bra for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication. Questions remain about the specific criteria the bar uses for streaming sports and its overall approach to balancing inclusivity with the nature of athletic competition.

Some commentators suggest that the bar's current actions may inadvertently position it as an adversary to the very cause it was established to champion, a stark contrast to its initial reception as a significant supporter of women's athletics.