Police Respond To Clashing Protests Outside Bar That Kicked Out Patrons Wearing ‘XX-XY’ Shirts

Two rival crowds squared off outside a Portland women’s sports bar Friday over the issue of men in women’s sports, and police got involved to break up the cat fight.

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The confrontation erupted near The Sports Bra, a venue that shows only women’s sports, on Sept. 11, according to the Daily Tidings. Roughly seven demonstrators assembled across the street around 5:40 p.m. to object to the bar, and more than 30 counterprotesters gathered in response, KPTV reported. Members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization joined the larger group in support of transgender rights and LGBTQ+ spaces.

Both sides exchanged chants along the street before the standoff shifted into a nearby parking lot, according to KPTV. Conservative livestreamer Thomas Allen appeared at the scene and filmed the dispute, the Daily Tidings reported. (RELATED: New York Liberty Displays Pro-Trans Messages On Scoreboard During Half-Time)

Transgender rights activists claimed Allen and people with him sprayed a chemical irritant at several individuals and walked into the grocery store carrying weapons, according to KPTV.

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Portland Police Bureau officers arrvied around 5:45 p.m., directed the crowds away from traffic, and watched until everyone left, KPTV reported. Officers examined two complaints about irritant spray but arrested no one, pointing to insufficient probable cause, and logged no injuries. Activists faulted that response and pressed for accountability, arguing police stood by while attacks occurred.

The clash grew out of an earlier incident at the same bar. Staff removed five patrons after other customers complained about their shirts, according to KOIN. One employee told the group to go, warning that refusal would bring a call to authorities. The patrons wore apparel from XX-XY Athletics, a brand that backs sex-based competition categories, KATU reported. That group had already been ejected from a Portland Thorns match at Providence Park days earlier, according to OutKick.

Bar ownership held its ground after the protest, saying anyone may voice opinions in public while conduct that excludes or belittles others remains prohibited inside, according to KPTV.

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