Fever's Stephanie White on transgender athletes: 'I don't ever believe exclusion is an answer

In the midst of small rallies across multiple states in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's stance on keeping "biological men" out of women's sports, Fever coach Stephanie White and Portland Fire coach Alex Sarama were asked about their personal thoughts on the situation ahead of the game Friday night.

Cunningham made headlines when she told ESPN as part of a larger profile published last week that she wanted to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men." She doubled down on her comments ahead of the Fever's game against the Connecticut Sun on July 22, saying it was "common sense."

Since then, people who support Cunningham's stance have organized rallies in Seattle ahead of Indiana's game against the Storm on Tuesday and in Portland ahead of the Fever's game against the Fire on Friday. Both rallies were small, according to media reports.

A Seattle Storm co-owner was fined and suspended for five home games after she cursed at girls wearing XX-XY shirts -- which represent an organization against transgender women in women's sports -- and holding signs in support of Cunningham.

Following these rallies, White was asked her stance on "biological men" playing in women's sports ahead of Friday's game.

"I wouldn't say I'm educated enough from a scientific standpoint, but I don't ever believe that exclusion is an answer," White said. "I just don't. I do think, when we think about various levels of sport, various governing bodies of sport and things that go into that, as I said, I'm not educated enough at the different levels. I know growing up that I played with the boys all the time. There weren't girls sports back then."

She had a similar answer to a follow up asking if she would welcome a "biological male" into the WNBA.

"I don't know, when we talk about biological males scientifically where we are, I think it's a totally different scenario," White said. "As I said, I'm not educated enough in transgender and transitioning to give you a smart answer. I would say, though, that I just don't think that exclusion is an answer, and I think that we need to have deeper, more layered conversations."

Sarama made similar comments: "(The transgender community has) our full support. They're a very important part of what the values of the Portland Fire are, at the end of the day. I want to make sure all the fans coming here tonight, I know our organization is going to be intentional in making sure our fans feel comfortable and supported when they come here to the Fire Pit."

"My focus as a basketball coach, being completely honest, I don't think I've ever had time to think about that," he added.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fever's Stephanie White on transgender athletes: 'I don't ever believe exclusion is an answer'

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