Nevada college oversight leader faces revolt after saying state's universities have men 'masquerading as women' on sports teams and hurting girls

A regent in Nevada's Higher Education system is being pushed to resign following a controversial comment he made about transgender athletes during a March 1 board meeting.

Patrick Boylan, who was elected to the state's Board of Regents in 2020, asked during the meeting, 'How many or do we have any men masquerading as women playing in any of our teams and are hurting any of the women? Do we have that issue here in NSHE?'

The question, which touched on a subject that has been causing heated controversy across the nation for several years now, caused an uproar among some members of the Nevada Higher Ed community.

Right-leaning politicians and others who've seen the impact of transgender women competing against biological women in college sporting events have been highlighting the dangers they believe are posed to biologically female athletes when trans women compete.

There is now an active group attempting to oust Boylan, who is refusing to step down.

Following a public comment from a student during the March meeting challenging Boylan's position, he responded: 'There's something known as the First Amendment. And it's the freedom of speech.'

Since the meeting, two rallies at College of Southern Nevada campuses have been held by students, staff and others upset by Boylan's comments.

Dr. Joe Hassert, who chairs the college system's Gender and Sexuality Alliance, told News 3 Las Vegas that Boylan 'seems to be promoting a view that transgender people are harmful to other students and other community members.'

A trans student, Alex Perdue, who identifies as male, said Boylan's position may impact the way transgender students and other LGBTQ+ individuals are treated.

'When you have so many people in power, and they create this hateful experience for other people, especially minorities, they will use that power to create hate for them and a lot of oppression,' said Perdue.

But Boylan says he won't resign.

He said his question at the board meeting was taken out of context, but also asked how it could have been harmful.

'I just asked the question. And if they believe that that's the reason that they got hurt. I don't want to hurt any student's feelings. But why were they harmful?'

'This left-wing loony craziness that they just jumped on the situation instead of seeing that it was safety concerns of mine,' he said. 'And it's not got anything to do with sex, race, any. I don't care what you are, what you think you are.'

Perdue, however, remains upset about the situation and wants to see the other state regents take action.

'I do believe that the other regents have to be able to make their voice heard,' said the student.

'If they are in support, of course especially. Or if they are in opposition. If they're in opposition, then they need to be told the truth about trans people which is not to hurt other people. It's just to exist.'

Students and staff have another rally planned for April 19, when the next board of regents meeting is scheduled.

Those opposed to Boylan's position and his continued presence on the board say they will rally before the meeting and use their voices during the public comment period.