Women’s Advocacy Leader Questions WNBA Policy Amid Transgender Athletes Debate

Patti Garibay, founder of American Heritage Girls, has ignited a broader conversation about transgender participation in women’s sports, challenging the fundamental premise of female-only athletic leagues. Garibay, who established the organization in 1993 to preserve faith-based values in girls’ youth programs, now contends that traditionally gender-exclusive spaces have become compromised by the inclusion of transgender individuals.

Speaking with Fox News Digital, Garibay expressed alarm at parents’ mounting concerns regarding membership policies across youth organizations. She noted that many families now specifically inquire whether groups maintain exclusively biological female membership before enrolling their daughters. According to Garibay, competitor youth organizations have begun admitting transgender girls into intimate settings including overnight cabins and locker rooms, prompting parental hesitation.

The controversy has extended into professional athletics, prompting Garibay to pose a pointed question: “Why have a WNBA if we’re going to allow guys in?” Her position gained momentum after WNBA player Sophie Cunningham publicly opposed transgender participation in biological women’s sports competitions.

Garibay praised Cunningham’s willingness to address the contentious issue directly, contrasting her stance with college basketball star Caitlin Clark’s reluctance to engage. Garibay expressed disappointment at Clark’s avoidance, suggesting professional handlers discouraged public commentary on the matter.

Despite her firm position on sex-segregated sports, Garibay acknowledged alternative pathways for transgender youth participation. She proposed that separate organizations could emerge to serve this population, offering community support while addressing mental health concerns specific to transgender individuals.