During a rally in Minneapolis, transgender activists confronted and harassed women’s sports advocates. Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, and ambassador Kendall Kotzmacher reported that counter-protesters screamed at them, tore their signs, and followed them to their cars outside the Target Center. The rally aimed to support WNBA star Sophie Cunningham for advocating sex-protected spaces in female sports.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) issued a statement embracing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. They emphasized that hate, abuse, and demonization of any person, including transgender individuals, fuel fear and division. The statement came amid the trans-athlete debate reaching the league.
“To everyone who loves this game: The WNBPA represents over 200 individuals with different lived experiences, cultures, lifestyles, and opinions. We embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Those values unite our Union and enable it to protect women’s sports while fostering transformational change.”
Prior to the Indiana Fever’s game against Portland Fever on Friday, Sophie Cunningham was seen signing autographs for fans. The WNBPA urged fans to support players and to notify security if they witness any hateful or abusive behavior at games.
Two weeks prior to the rally, Sophie Cunningham expressed her views on protecting young girls in sports. She was quoted in an article stating that “young girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological men” in sports. Despite facing backlash from some players and coaches, rallies supporting Cunningham have continued.
Former US women’s national team player Megan Rapinoe criticized Cunningham for a picture taken with swimmer Riley Gaines, who competed against trans swimmer Lia Thomas. Rapinoe’s comment highlights the ongoing debate and differing opinions on the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
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