Matt Calkins, a sports columnist for the Seattle Times for 11 years, resigned on August 20, 2026, after the newspaper declined to publish his column addressing women's sports activists. Calkins stated that the decision not to run his piece, which focused on two Washington student-athletes opposing the participation of transgender girls in female sports, hindered his ability to fulfill his role as a columnist. He expressed his desire to amplify the voices of girls competing against transgender athletes, claiming that their perspectives are often overlooked in media coverage.
Calkins submitted the column to his editors but received a response after six days indicating that it would not be published due to a lack of prior notification about the topic. He noted a pattern of having previous columns rejected when they challenged prevailing narratives. Despite his resignation, Calkins emphasized that he respects his former editors and understands the pressures they face in making editorial decisions on contentious subjects.
The controversy surrounding the column is linked to a broader debate in Washington, where voters will consider Initiative IL26-638 in November. This proposed measure seeks to restrict participation in certain athletic activities to students defined as biologically female. Supporters argue it protects fairness in women's sports, while opponents claim it discriminates against transgender students. Calkins plans to continue writing independently following his resignation.