Former college soccer player takes on Nike over gender-transition surgeries for minors

A former college soccer player who has emerged as a leading California critic of transgender participation in women’s sports is bringing her fight to Nike — backing a shareholder measure as investors scrutinize corporate ties to groups that support gender-transition care for minors.Sophia Lorey, 26, was set to address Nike shareholders Tuesday on behalf of a proposal from Christian investment firm Inspire Investing that calls for greater scrutiny of the sneaker giant’s charitable partnerships.The Vanguard University alum was expected to focus on Nike’s relationship with the Human Rights Campaign, arguing that the company’s support for the LGBTQ advocacy organization clashes with its marketing of women’s athletics, according to Bloomberg, which obtained a recording of her planned remarks.The Nike vote is part of a wider pressure campaign by Inspire, which manages $5.4 billion and has been questioning scores of major corporations about their policies on transgender issues.The investment firm and its allies have contacted 242 employers seeking information about whether their health insurance plans pay for gender-related surgeries for minors, Bloomberg reported.That campaign is separate from the Nike proxy measure backed by Lorey, a proposal that focuses on potential risks stemming from the company’s charitable giving.Lorey was set to invoke Nike campaigns including “Play Like a Girl” and “Get Her in the Game” while challenging the sports giant’s association with groups that support transgender women competing in women’s fields, according to Bloomberg.The shareholder proposal cites an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation involving allegations of systemic race discrimination at Nike.“Given the EEOC’s current high-profile investigation into Nike over ‘systemic race discrimination allegations’ occurring partially as a result of the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, investors are right to be concerne...