Portland fans removed from soccer match and bar over XX-XY Athletics apparel

A group of fans wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel was removed from both a Portland Thorns soccer match and a local women’s sports bar, The Sports Bra, on Sunday.

XX-XY Athletics is a sportswear brand founded by former gymnast Jennifer Sey that advocates for separating sports based on biological sex. The brand's name refers to chromosomal markers. During the Portland Thorns match at Providence Park, security escorted the group from the venue. A Thorns spokesperson stated the individuals were removed for “distributing unapproved materials,” a claim disputed by one of the fans, Amy Sousa, who stated the group did not distribute any materials.

Later, the same group was ejected from The Sports Bra in Northeast Portland after customers reportedly complained about the shirts. The establishment defended the decision, stating the group wore apparel with messages “advocating for the exclusion of trans women from sports” and were given the option to cover the messaging or leave. The bar released a statement asserting, “trans girls are girls, and trans women are women.”