BUZZ
Referred to trans-female athletes as ‘men masquerading as women’
A “controversial” regent in the Nevada System of Higher Education is facing a quintet of challengers in the June primary, partly due to alleged past “anti-trans” remarks.
According to The Nevada Independent, Patrick Boylan, first elected to his regent post in 2020, “in multiple instances” referred to transgender female athletes “men masquerading as women.”
Boylan had asked at a 2024 meeting with state athletic directors “[H]ow many, or do we have any men masquerading as women playing in any of our teams and hurting any of the women? Do we have that issue here?”
After, Boylan faced rebukes from Michelee Cruz-Crawford, chair of the regents’ diversity committee, the Nevada State University student body president, and the Nevada Faculty Alliance — all called for his resignation.
“We are deeply angered by repeated anti-transgender comments made by Regent Patrick Boylan,” the NFA said in a statement. “We are especially appalled by his aggressive response to a student leader who gave public comment decrying remarks made earlier in the meeting.”
The NFA accused Boylan of violating the NSHE Board of Regents Anti-Discrimination Resolution which states in part
there shall be no difference in the treatment of any member of the NSHE community, including students, employees, and members of the Board of Regents because of race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, (including a pregnancy related condition), gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation, military status or military obligations, or physical or intellectual ability or disability …
Boylan was unapologetic, saying “There’s something known as the First Amendment, and it’s the freedom of speech. I see it as a man masquerading as a woman. If he has not had his you-know-what cut off or anything, he’s still a man.”
He claimed his comments weren’t “against a specific group, transgenders or anything,” just that they were “the use of wrong words, that’s all.”
Two years before, Boylan also was “scrutinized” for using the term “colored” for minority students.
In a profile of candidates for the upcoming primary, the Nevada Current notes Boylan said of his past remarks he “had the balls to speak about it” and that it’s his job “to keep people safe.”
Boylan is against DEI measures (referring to them as “Didn’t Earn It”), voted against a 12-percent tuition increase in earlier this year, and supports collective bargaining.
His challengers include a former state legislator (Mo Denis), a “mutual aid” organizer (Kathleen Cavalaro), a county planner (Tyler DeLorenzo), and a pair of educators (Ashley Garcia, Stephanie Molina).
Two, Cavalaro and DeLorenzo, support the NFA’s call for Boylan’s resignation, while the other candidates condemned his remarks. All of the challengers are pro-diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.
The Nevada System of Higher Education includes UNLV, the University of Nevada Reno, Nevada State University, and four community colleges.
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