In a recent controversy, Natalie Cline, a conservative member of the Utah Board of Education, is facing backlash for sharing a post on social media that falsely suggested a high school basketball player is transgender. The post sparked a wave of online threats against the 16-year-old girl, prompting concerns over her safety and well-being.

The controversy began when Cline posted a photo on Facebook of the daughter of Al and Rachel van der Beek, a Salt Lake City-based family, in her basketball uniform with the caption "Girls' basketball." She then shared a since-deleted screenshot of an Instagram ad about a game, implying that the girl is transgender and should not be allowed to play.

The teenager, who remains unnamed, was subsequently bombarded with hateful comments and threats from social media users who saw Cline's post. Equality Utah, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, confirmed that the girl is not transgender, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune. The van der Beeks, speaking to KSL, revealed that school officials contacted them and informed them about Cline's post and the disturbing comments directed at their daughter.

Al van der Beek expressed his shock at the accusations made against his daughter, describing her as a tomboy. Rachel van der Beek emphasized that judging someone's eligibility to participate in a specific sport solely based on appearance is inappropriate and unjust.

Responding to the controversy, the 15-member Utah State Board of Education released a statement condemning Cline's actions and expressing their deep concern over the harm caused to students and families. However, the board noted that it does not have the power to remove an elected official from office. They stated that if the full Board decides discipline is necessary, Board Bylaws provide guidelines for taking further action.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, both Republicans, joined in denouncing Cline's behavior. In a joint statement, they expressed their shock and criticized an elected official harassing a high school student on social media. They called for the State Board of Education to hold Cline accountable and commended the Granite School District for swiftly taking action to safeguard the student's safety and well-being.

Cline, who also faced calls to resign in the past for inflammatory comments about LGBTQ+ students, issued an apology to the girl involved in the controversy. However, she maintained that her Facebook post was "Constitutionally Protected Speech" and claimed she never called the student a boy. Despite the apology, Democratic state lawmakers are demanding Cline's resignation and have initiated discussions with attorneys to explore impeachment proceedings against her. Republican leaders have not yet indicated whether they would support impeachment.

Amidst the unfolding controversy, the parents of the targeted high school athlete are calling for a public apology from Cline, expressing concerns about the potential impact such false accusations could have had on their daughter's mental health. They emphasized the importance of strong support systems and urged Cline to consider the potential consequences of her actions.

As the fallout continues, the incident highlights the urgent need for accountability and sensitivity when discussing gender identity and transgender issues in society. It serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their personal identity or appearance.