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See the full story · 2 sourcesA pregame rally supporting Sophie Cunningham before Storm vs. Fever draws strong reactions across the WNBA community.
Sophie Cunningham’s stance against transgender athletes continues to reverberate in the WNBA. The Indiana Fever guard said in an interview with ESPN’s Hallie Grossman last week that she has nothing but love for the LGBTQ+ community but is unequivocally against “biological men” competing in women’s sports.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game between the Fever and the Seattle Storm, an “anti-trans rally” called “With Love is Truth” took place outside of the Storm’s Climate Pledge Arena, drawing strong reactions from the WNBA community.
Sophie Cunningham Support Rally Before Storm-Fever Sparks Backlash and Debate
In the interview with Grossman, Cunningham emphasized that all she wants is to “extend love.” The sharpshooting guard added that “love is truth, being honest.” With that as the basis, she continued that she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Despite facing massive pushback, Cunningham doubled down on her stand a few days after the interview came out, insisting that she is not political and does not identify herself with MAGA, but drew a line on what she called the “need” for biological women “to be protected.” The former Phoenix Mercury guard stressed that she would not waver in that belief.
Cunningham’s statements were used as a rallying cry for anti-trans groups, who held a rally before the Fever-Storm showdown, prompting the WNBA community to respond.
“That anti-trans rally is making me sick to my stomach,” an X user wrote .
“This is disgusting. This is what they have enabled in one of the safest spaces for LGBTQ+ people in America. The only saving grace is they are trying to do this in Seattle. Seattle, I know you are not going to stand for this! Please counter-protest,” an LGBTQ+ supporter added .
“‘Anti-trans.’ These people are unwell. Not anti anything. Pro truth and love!” another X user weighed in .
“Having this rally on the site of a fatal mass shooting a couple days ago, WHY??” a WNBA supporter wondered .
According to WNBA insider Roberta Rodrigues, the rallyists might have picked the wrong place to hold the event.
“I was told that Storm fans have actively been reaching out to the organization directly and via social media about the anti-trans rally in support of Sophie Cunningham. I don’t think these people know how hard Storm fans rally for the trans community. They chose the wrong place,” Rodrigues tweeted .
While Cunningham has faced resistance, the 29-year-old star has also received strong backing. Last week, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith used an NBA analogy to claim that Cunningham was “1,000% right.”
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Cunningham is one of the WNBA’s hottest attractions, a meme machine that can’t seem to get out of the spotlight. While her comments about transgender athletes have been polarizing, she already made it clear that she won’t back down from that stance regardless of how others view her or her statement.
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