Perspective: Matt Calkins, Sophie Cunningham and the cost of speaking your mind

Matt Calkins, a long-time sports columnist at the Seattle Times, resigned after his editors declined to publish a column he wrote advocating for transgender athletes to participate in women's sports. The decision to resign was entirely his own, and he emphasized that it was not an impulsive or emotional choice. Calkins highlighted the Times' refusal to publish his column from the perspectives of two female student athletes who opposed the idea as the impetus for his resignation.

After 11 years with the Seattle Times, Calkins felt compelled to resign due to the publication's unwillingness to run his piece. His resignation has garnered significant support from conservatives, including Megyn Kelly, Michael Shellenberger, Riley Gaines, and Andy Ngo, who praised him as a hero on social media. The situation echoes the experience of Bari Weiss, who resigned from The New York Times in 2020 due to her differing views on gender and transgender issues.

Calkins' column argued that being against transgender athletes playing in women's sports does not make someone "transphobic." He emphasized that the issue is not about hate but rather about having different opinions on what is right. Calkins pointed out that the media's reluctance to give voice to this perspective is part of a broader trend of enforced ideological conformity, which he believes stifles critical thought and discussion in journalism.