New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart views the WNBA as a welcoming environment for fans and players. Recently, debates on whether transgender women should join the league have surfaced. While the WNBA’s agreement specifies membership for women, it lacks clear terms on gender identity or birth sex. The league has not had a transgender player.
Protests near Indiana Fever games emerged when player Sophie Cunningham voiced opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports. Planned rallies are set to occur before the Liberty face the Fever in Brooklyn. Stewart expressed her desire for the arena to remain a safe space for fans of all identities.
Recently, three fans were asked by WNBA security to cover shirts with messages on transgender participation at a game between the Atlanta Dream and the Fever. The league later stated these fans should have been able to wear their shirts freely.
Stewart maintains that WNBA fans attend games to express how they feel and shouldn’t lose that sense of belonging. She highlights the importance of free speech and warns against attempts to divide teams or players. Stewart reaffirms the league’s commitment to inclusivity.
An advocate for the transgender community, Stewart encountered backlash last year when her themed shoe referenced Harry Potter, due to the author’s anti-trans views. She donated royalties from the shoe to The Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ+ youth.