In Seattle, during the Indiana Fever’s 105-95 victory over the Seattle Storm, the absence of Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark from postgame interviews stirred discussions following a rally supporting Cunningham’s recent views on transgender athletes.
A small group gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena, advocating for Cunningham and backing initiatives IL26-638 and IL26-001. These initiatives aim to bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics in Washington schools and to enhance the state’s “Parents’ Bill of Rights.” Cunningham had expressed her opinion against transgender girls and women participating in girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article the previous week. Her stance received boos from Storm fans during her entrance and first free throws.
Though the media sought postgame commentary from Cunningham and Clark, they were unavailable. Instead, Kelsey Mitchell, Monique Billings, and head coach Stephanie White addressed inquiries. Fever’s public relations gave a statement: “Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers. Our sole aim is to win games and foster enduring Fever fans.”
Storm head coach Sonia Raman talked about her team’s environment at Climate Pledge Arena amidst the backdrop of the protest. “Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building,” Raman emphasized, highlighting the efforts to ensure safety and inclusivity for all visitors.
Outside the venue, Heather Weiner, from No Hate in Washington State, shared her group’s experience at the protest. “Washington State is a very caring, inclusive place. We don’t always agree, but we do agree against hate, and we will come together about that.”
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