Charles Barkley gives heated response in 'stupid' debate about transgender athletes

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Charles Barkley is a man who never shies away from controversial topics, no matter which side he lands on.

On Thursday, he weighed in on the hot-button topic of transgender athletes in sports, an issue that has caused heated debate over the past few years.

The basketball legend, who currently serves an NBA analyst, was very blunt with his take during an appearance on Outkick’s Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich. Barkley called those who support transgender athletes being able to compete in women’s sports “stupid.”

“I’m gonna make this very simple for you, Dan: Men should not play sports against women,” Barkley said. “I’m not gonna get into all the bulls*** that’s going on out here in the world today.

“Men should not play sports against women. If anybody thinks that, I think they’re stupid.”

Barkley reiterated his support for the LGBTQ community, but said he won’t back down in his stance regarding trans athletes’ inclusion in competitive sports.

“I support the gay community 100%. I support the transgender community 100%. But I do not, under any circumstances — zero — think that men should play sports against women,” he said.

Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning biological males from women’s sports, threatening schools to either comply or face the loss of federal funds.

A day later, the NCAA changed its eligibility policies for transgender competitors.

Barkley, an NBA hall of famer, said that no amount of public pressure would get him to change his stance on the subject.

“If anybody has a problem with that, they’re gonna have to get over it because I’m not gonna change my (mind). I just think it’s wrong, period,” he said.

“If people disagree with me, I’m good with that. Hey, we disagree, I’m not mad at you, I don’t hate you, I’m not going to call you names because that’s just silly and stupid.

“I’m never going to think it’s alright for men to play sports against women.”

While the outspoken star has shared controversial opinions in the past, he didn’t feel like this was one of them.

“I don’t even think that’s controversial,” he added. “When you see these debates on TV … I’m done, I don’t wanna hear you try to explain it to me. No, no, no, I don’t wanna hear it. I’m not gonna argue with you. Men shouldn’t play sports against women. I’m done.”

Dakich had broached the subject with Barkley by asking the 11-time all-star about unfounded reports that Nike had funded a study on transgender children in sports that looked at the effects of hormone therapy and puberty blockers on “trans adolescents.”

Barkley said he was unaware of the reports but then said that he felt children should not be exposed to the life-altering drugs.

“I don’t even think anybody knows who they are as a young kid. So, I think we have to be very careful because you don’t want to put kids in a disadvantageous situation, because, hey, when you get older, you can make your own decision,” he said. “I think we have to be very careful screwing around with kids because they’re not fully developed as a person.”