Seattle columnist Quits; media rallies support

7.

Matt Calkins, who resigned from the Seattle Times today because a column transgender athletes was spiked by his bosses, posted more on Substack, but it may have been deleted.  Meanwhile, he is getting good support from media observers

https://x.com/i/trending/2090496802487201837

From Aaron Levine of Fox 13:

"Matt has never shied away from tackling some of the hottest-button issues and I give him tons of credit for that.

Wishing you nothing but the best going forward, Matt, and truly appreciate and admire the full explanation in your Substack." 

From John Canzano, Portland Sports pundit

"No point in having a columnist if you're spiking columns. This Seattle Times v. Matt Calkins mess blew up like a hand grenade." 

From longtime Seattle sports radio host Dave Grosby:

"Integrity, character.  You have it.  We'll miss it." 

And from one of the interviewees:

Thank you, @Matt_Calkins . I was one of the female athletes you interviewed, and I truly appreciate the way you treated me. You were fair, listened to my story without judgment, and wanted to share my experience—even when The Seattle Times refused to let it be heard.

@seattletimes deserves to be called out. It has become a left-wing rag that suppresses stories and viewpoints that challenge its preferred political narrative. Even at 17, I can see eerie similarities to what we’ve learned in history class about communism, censorship, and the control of information.

To think that a 17-year-old female athlete and her story could be considered a threat to a powerful media machine like The Seattle Times shows that we have them against the ropes. We need to keep punching.

I won’t quit, and I’m asking all of you to help deliver the knockout punch this November: Vote YES on Initiative 638.

Thank you, Matt, for having the guts it takes and standing by your principles, refusing to participate in this censorship and giving female athletes a voice.