The bleachers of Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) gym rumbled with cheers Friday night, as hundreds showed up to support Harriette MacKenzie, a transgender basketball player for the Women’s VIU Mariners. “I think she’s brave,” said eight-year-old Brooke Walsh, who attended with her mother and sister. “Oh man it’s really awesome to see so many people in the crowd, cheering and supporting,” said Nanaimo mother of two, Kara Walsh.
“We saw Harriette’s post and all of my beautiful people behind me, myself included of course, took up arms. When one person falls in our community we are all here to support,” said Shaun Baty, a Queer Community Liaison in Nanaimo. Friday night was Mackenzie’s first game since the 21-year-old, 6’2′′, forward spoke out about verbal and physical mistreatment she’s received from opposing teams.
Watch the story in the video below: “Throughout my entire career, I have been attacked and outed from players to coaches to fans,” Harriette Mackenzie posted on Instagram, in a video message. The most recent incident she said happened during a two-game weekend series in Nanaimo against Columbia Bible College of Abbotsford. She spoke out about what transpired after VIU won the first game by 12 points.
“But the coach Taylor Clagette cornered one of our athletic staff and went on a tirade about how I shouldn’t be allowed to play,” Mackenzie stated on Instagram. According to MacKenzie, in the next game the harassment intensif.
