Supporters of Indiana Fever guard plan rallies in Portland and Minneapolis ahead of WNBA games

Activists are set to hold rallies outside the arenas hosting Indiana Fever games in Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, to show support for guard Sophie Cunningham, who has publicly expressed opposition to transgender athletes competing in women's sports. The Portland event, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Moda Center, will be led by Washington activist Amy Sousa, while the Minneapolis rally before the noon game at the Target Center will be organized by former gymnastics champion Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics.

"We were just going to do something quiet with just a couple of us, and seeing what happened to those girls, we just thought, ‘We can’t be quiet,’" Sousa said.

The rallies follow a contentious game in Seattle where supporters of Cunningham gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena and faced counterprotesters advocating transgender inclusion. During that event, two teenage fans wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts reported that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton approached them, used profanity, and made religious remarks, prompting the league to fine Keaton and bar her from the next five Storm home games.

"We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect," Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said.

Cunningham responded on social media, affirming that she welcomes people of all gender identities while maintaining her stance on protecting biological females in sports. She also indicated plans to send gifts to the teenagers involved in the Seattle incident.

Organizers anticipate a larger counterprotest in Portland than in Seattle and have prepared for opposition. Sousa noted that previous events she coordinated with the U.S. chapter of Women’s Declaration International faced disruptions, and she expects similar challenges at the upcoming rallies.

"We absolutely expect opposition. Hopefully, we’ll see things go a little differently, because I do think the cultural temperature is changing a little bit," Sousa added.