A high school volleyball player who was injured by a transgender opponent has spoken out to accuse the Biden administration of “hypocrisy” for calling opposition to trans athletes in girls’ sports dangerous.
Payton McNabb of Cherokee County, North Carolina has previously said she suffered a concussion and neck injury in November 2022 after a transgender opponent jabbed a ball that hit her in the face.
On Friday, McNabb appeared on Fox news and was responding to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who was asked at a news conference earlier this week about parents concerned about trans athletes in school sports.
Jean-Pierre replied, “What you’re referring to is actually saying that transgender kids are dangerous… It’s dangerous to say that essentially transgender kids, which we’re talking about, are dangerous.”
McNabb responded in the Fox News interview, “She’s taken what others have said about how dangerous this is for us, and she’s essentially turned it around and played the victim of the situation, which I expect nothing less from that entire administration.” ‘
Payton McNabb appeared on Fox News responding to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre
Jean-Pierre ‘It is dangerous to say that essentially transgender children, which we are talking about, are dangerous’
McNabb has previously called for legal restrictions on transgender athletes in female sports, including in testimony in the North Carolina state legislature in April.
Joined by swimmer and activist Riley Gaines, McNabb spoke out in favor of HB 574—the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which would effectively ban biological male transgender athletes from participating in high school athletics designed for women.
McNabb told the hearing, “It’s dangerous to have biological men compete with biological women.”
“I may be the first to come before you with an injury, but if this doesn’t pass, I won’t be the last.”
Versions of the North Carolina bill have passed in the state House and Senate, the main difference being whether the ban applies to colleges, and negotiations are underway to pass a unified version.
But to pass the measure into law, lawmakers will likely have to overcome a veto from Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat who has spoken out against the bill.
At least 20 other states have imposed similar limits on transgender athletes at the K-12 or collegiate level.
However, the Biden administration is seeking to change Title IX, the law that protects women’s sports, to allow athletes to compete on men’s or women’s teams according to their gender identity.
McNabb is seen, left, lying on the floor, knocked unconscious
In April, Gaines tweeted footage of McNabb’s incident, which occurred on November 1, 2022, during a Hiwassee High School v. Highlands High School volleyball game.
A transgender rival from Highlands High School touched the ball, knocking McNabb unconscious.
“I was seriously injured in a high school volleyball game by a transgender athlete on the opposing team,” McNabb said Tuesday.
“I suffered a concussion and neck injury from which I am still recovering to this day.
“Other injuries that still haunt me today include impaired vision, partial paralysis on my right side, constant headaches, as well as anxiety and depression.
“I was unable to play the rest of my last volleyball season and although I am currently playing softball, I know that due to my injury I am not performing as well as in the past.”
She said her academic performance has been hurt and she now needs “accommodations in school for testing.”
She said she was unable to “learn, hold, understand” as before.
“I could go on and on about how this has affected my life,” McNabb said.
‘But that’s not what I’m here for. I’m not here for me.
‘Cause for me, I know my playing time is coming to an end.
“I’m here for every biological female athlete who has my back.”
McNabb was referring to a North Carolina law that prohibits discrimination and says everyone should be able to compete fairly on a level playing field.
“My ability to compete has taken away from me,” said McNabb.
“Competing with biological males is not a level playing field.”
The bill, which is likely to pass, would prevent biological female athletes from being forced to compete against biological male transgender athletes in school sports designed for women.
It wouldn’t stop transgender athletes from competing on teams that are co-ed or designated at birth because of their biological sex.
McNabb (left) is seen with swimmer Riley Gaines (right) and Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (center), a Republican from Henderson County and one of the main sponsors of HB 574
So far this year, 20 states have passed legislation protecting the rights of female athletes against what supporters say is an unfair competitive advantage enjoyed by biologically male transgender athletes.
Opponents of the bill from activist group Equality NC addressed Tuesday’s hearing, urging politicians to reject the bill because it prevents transgender athletes from participating.
They warned protests from activists similar to the state’s HB 2 “bathroom bill” could follow.
North Carolina was at the forefront of the transgender bathroom battle in March 2016.
A massive nationwide backlash ensued, with Adidas, PayPal, Deutsche Bank and other companies reconsidering their planned North Carolina expansion, and TV and movie studios changing their minds about shooting in the state.
Musicians Nick Jonas, Bruce Springsteen and Demi Lovato announced boycotts, while other artists, including Selena Gomez, Mumford and Sons, donated a portion of local ticket sales to LGBTQ organizations.
The sports world also reacted: the NBA moved the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans, and the NCAA moved the March Madness basketball championships out of state.
A 2017 analysis by The Associated Press predicted that North Carolina would lose more than $3.76 billion and nearly 3,000 jobs over the next 12 years as a direct result of HB 2.