Sophie Cunningham’s viewpoint on safeguarding women’s sports has ignited significant controversy throughout the WNBA. The clash followed her advocates to Minnesota on Sunday.
Proponents of women’s sports assembled peacefully outside Target Center before the Indiana Fever’s match against the Minnesota Lynx. They wore XX-XY Athletics shirts and held signs with messages like “Pro-Women, Not Anti-Trans” and “Trust the Science.” This event was the third rally supporting Cunningham since she openly stated that young female athletes “shouldn’t have to compete against biological men.”
On the other side, trans activists nearby expressed much less interest in peaceful dialogue. Video footage captured outside the arena depicts counterprotesters using megaphones, shouting insults, and attempting to snatch XX-XY shirts from Cunningham’s supporters. One individual brandished a fan with a derogatory term over the women’s heads.
An incident saw an activist become physical with a supporter, necessitating intervention by security. Similar confrontations had previously occurred at Fever matches in Seattle and Portland.
During the initial rally in Seattle, two teenage girls later attended the game in XX-XY shirts, displaying a sign that read, “Thank You Sophie For Speaking Up For Girls.” Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton allegedly confronted the girls courtside, used profanity, and called them “insane,” bringing one to tears.
The WNBA responded by fining the Storm and suspending Keaton from attending the team’s next five home games.
Supporters gathered again outside Portland’s Moda Center. Trans activists disrupted the event, using profanity and confronting attendees. Inside, Cunningham faced persistent booing whenever she participated in the game.
Cunningham, however, firmly stated her resolve before the Portland game. “I’m here to play basketball, but I’m also here to be me,” she declared. “I’m not going to hide or dim my light because people may not agree.”