Patty Gasso stands by her players attending rally on women's sports fairness

In early April 2025, members of the Oklahoma Sooners softball team, along with other athletes, attended a talk given by Riley Gaines, a prominent advocate for women's sports, which was held on their campus. This event was organized by the university's chapter of Turning Point USA and included discussions surrounding the presence of transgender athletes in women's sports. Following the event, head coach Patty Gasso was asked about her players' attendance during a post-game press conference. Gasso expressed her support for her players, stating that it was their right to decide whether to attend or not, although she had not heard any of Gaines's specific comments during the talk. Along with Gasso, some female athletes echoed sentiments from Gaines’s speech, emphasizing the biological differences between men and women in sports and reaffirming a belief in fairness and equal opportunities in women's athletics. They clarified that their stance was not anti-transgender but focused instead on the need for competitive fairness in sports. Criticism arose from outside parties, with some deeming the event controversial due to the protests that took place, raising concerns about the inclusivity of transgender individuals in athletics. Nevertheless, the athletes highlighted their support for women in sports and noted that their concerns stemmed from a representation issue rather than hostility towards transgender citizens. As the debate continues, advocates like Gaines and the athletes involved maintain their positions on preserving women's sports for biological females, fueling an ongoing national conversation about the intersection of gender identity and competitive sports. Such discussions have gained traction since the NCAA altered its policies regarding transgender athletes and their participation in women's sports, indicating a significant evolution in sports governance and societal views surrounding these issues.