A group in Oregon was reportedly kicked out of a sports bar after wearing XX-XY T-shirts, which are considered by some people to be an anti-transgender message.
The group shared a video online showing the incident, which reportedly took place at The Sports Bra in Portland after staff and customers noticed that some members of the group were wearing the XX-XY T-shirts. A staff member told the group that their clothing was making some customers uncomfortable and asked them to leave.
The staff member then told the group that she would call authorities to have them removed if necessary, although she said she did not want to take that step. One of the women in the group tried to ask the staff member to reconsider the situation. The staff member explained that she had not noticed the T-shirts before serving the group and only became aware of them after other customers complained about the clothing.
Another woman in the group questioned the staff member’s decision, asking, “There is nothing wrong with these shirts. What is wrong with you?” The staff member again explained that customers had complained about the shirts. The group continued arguing that there was nothing inappropriate about the clothing.
In the replies, the woman who posted the video provided additional details about the incident. She said the bar had already served the group before the confrontation. She then alleged that staff only asked them to leave after they had received their food.
Why Are the T-Shirts Controversial?
XX-XY T-shirts typically feature the chromosomes “XX” and “XY,” sometimes alongside slogans emphasizing biological sex and the role of chromosomes in determining it. While some people wear the shirts to express their views on biological sex rather than to make an explicit statement about transgender people, the message is considered by many to be transphobic or anti-transgender because it can be interpreted as rejecting the idea that a person’s gender identity can differ from their sex assigned at birth.
Critics argue that the shirts reduce gender to biological characteristics such as chromosomes and can therefore be perceived as dismissing or invalidating transgender identities, particularly when worn in settings where the message is directed at or used to challenge transgender people. Supporters, however, generally describe the shirts as an expression of their belief that biological sex is determined by characteristics such as chromosomes rather than gender identity.
The Sports Bra Bar Responds to Backlash
After the group shared the video online, many people began criticizing the bar, with some also leaving negative reviews on its Google listing. The backlash prompted the bar to respond and defend its decision to ask the group to leave.
The Sports Bra responded with an Instagram post defending its position and expressing support for transgender women. “At The Sports Bra, our mission is simple: support, promote, and empower ALL girls and women in sports. To be clear: trans girls are girls, and trans women are women. Since day one, we’ve built our space to be inclusive, especially for people who don’t feel comfortable at a traditional sports bar. That includes LGBTQ+ community members. As a reminder, the T stands for trans. We welcome people of every identity and background, but we do not tolerate messages or conduct that demean or exclude the very community we exist to serve and celebrate,” the bar wrote.
The bar also addressed the incident directly, claiming that the group was “wearing apparel with messages advocating for the exclusion of trans women from sports.” According to the bar, its staff gave the group the option to either cover the “anti-trans messaging” on their clothing or leave, and the group chose to leave. This account differs from the group’s claim that they were kicked out of the bar.
“We stand firmly committed to inclusion and belonging for everyone who walks through our doors. Thank you for standing with us,” the bar added. Comments under the post were divided, with some people supporting the bar’s decision while others criticized it.
Outrage After Oregon Group Gets Kicked Out of Bar
Online, many viewers criticized the Oregon bar over the incident involving the anti-transgender T-shirts, arguing that the group’s message was not inherently offensive. “This is soooo Portland. [Expletive] this place. I hope they go out of business,” one person wrote. Another person said, “Progressives are the shallowest, most intellectually dishonest people on the planet. They are fragile, resentful, unreasonable narcissists. And they’re dangerous.”
Aside from the significant backlash, some people defended the bar and criticized the group. “Because 1. Your Being THE Problem. 2. You are causing too much attention towards yourselves. 3. Stop Using their identities / life style to be given special accommodations!,” one person wrote. Others thanked the bar for standing by its decision, with another person saying, “we LOVE when the trash gets taken out! Thanks for standing up for others.”
The incident also highlighted the controversy that can arise when clothing associated with an anti-transgender message is worn at an establishment that openly promotes LGBTQ+ inclusion. The disagreement further raised questions about whether businesses have the right to ask customers to leave based on messages displayed on their clothing and where the line should be drawn between personal expression and a business’s policies.
