Brandi Krause tells Laura Ingraham about being forced out of Portland soccer game: ‘We did nothing wrong’
A group of about 20 women wearing XX-XY shirts at a Portland Thorns match say they were confronted by nearby fans and removed from the stadium. Brandi Kruse, one of the group, told Laura Ingraham that security gave her no reason for the removal, raising questions about how the incident was handled.
Kruse said she refused to leave voluntarily and security had to escort her out. The Thorns said they aim to provide a safe and inclusive environment, that security decisions are managed locally, and that they are reviewing whether policies were applied appropriately and consistently. The article also reports that journalist Matt Calkins was assaulted and had his press pass taken.
In short
- About 20 women wearing XX-XY shirts were removed from a Portland Thorns match.
- Brandi Kruse says security did not explain why they had to leave.
- The Thorns say they are reviewing how security policies were applied.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The group’s account raises a legitimate concern that spectators may have been removed without a clear explanation or consistent application of venue rules. A safe and inclusive environment should protect people from harassment while also respecting their ability to express lawful views, and the club’s review could help establish whether security acted fairly.
The case against
The club and other spectators may reasonably argue that staff must respond when tensions arise, because their first responsibility is to keep everyone at the match safe. Security may have acted on information not available to the group or the public, and the club has said it is reviewing whether its policies were applied appropriately and consistently.
Explained simply
Portland Thorns are a professional women’s football team based in Portland, Oregon, in the United States. Their matches are played at a stadium where staff and security enforce rules on behaviour and access. XX-XY is a slogan used by some people who argue that sex is determined by chromosomes; it is associated with debate over transgender people’s participation in sport.
Brandi Kruse is a journalist and one of the women who attended the match wearing an XX-XY shirt. Laura Ingraham is a television presenter who interviewed her, while Matt Calkins is a journalist who was also at the match. The incident has drawn attention to how stadium security decisions are made and to the balance venues seek between enforcing their rules and allowing people to express their views.