Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve recently reiterated her support for the transgender community. Her statement came as rallies addressing trans athletes in women’s sports occurred outside her team’s game. This marked the third such event this season. Reeve spoke following the Lynx’s 86-66 win over the Indiana Fever at the Target Center. It was at least the fourth time she addressed transgender issues during WNBA media sessions this season.
Reeve expressed that one of the significant aspects of this season was showing support for the transgender community. She stated that current discussions around transgender issues in sports felt like an attack on the community. According to her, avoiding the existence of transgender individuals underlies these debates.
“The transgender community deserves our support,” Reeve said. “What is happening regarding transgender issues in sports is essentially an attack on the community. People seem not to want transgender individuals to exist.”
Previously, during a home game against the Indiana Fever on August 2, Reeve wore a “Trans Kids Belong” shirt. This followed comments from Fever guard Sophie Cunningham supporting the exclusion of biological males from women’s sports. Following Cunningham’s stance, rallies by “Save Women’s Sports” activists took place outside the Target Center, prompting counterprotests from pro-trans groups.
During that August 2 game, Reeve and Cunningham had a discussion at midcourt, acknowledging their influential platforms. Although they disagreed on the issue, they shared a mutual understanding of their responsibilities in educating the public. Reeve clarified that wearing the shirt was a modest gesture, yet it resonated deeply with many in the transgender community.
“Messages from transgender individuals and their families made it one of the most meaningful moments of my season,” Reeve shared. “Helping them feel seen with the platform I have in professional sports was a small gesture that I believed in entirely.”
Reeve highlighted the importance of supporting transgender children, noting that even small actions can significantly impact their self-perception. She stressed that the life and death stakes for the transgender community underline the need for visible support. Many parents of transgender children reached out, sharing how Reeve’s support helped their families.
WNBPA issued a statement affirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion amidst ongoing debates. Reeve first addressed these issues in July after the Supreme Court upheld state laws restricting transgender participation in women’s sports. She found the political focus on exclusion troubling and reiterated, “exclusion is never the answer.”
She again addressed it prior to the August 2 game against Indiana, emphasizing every child’s right to participate in sports, regardless of gender identity. Reeve noted that while eligibility questions might become complex after puberty, activists focus too narrowly on transgender issues and often neglect other challenges female athletes face, such as inadequate facilities.
Despite differing opinions, Cunningham maintained that her stance isn’t borne from hatred, but from a desire to protect young girls in sports. She emphasizes love and honesty in her approach. The ongoing debate has led the WNBA to hold discussions with team leaders, focusing on fairness, competitive integrity, and inclusion, even though no transgender woman currently plays in the league.
In closing the regular season, Minnesota attained a league-best record of 33-11, while Indiana entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed with a 28-16 record.
Leave a Reply