Activists plan "Sophie Night" rally in Minnesota ahead of WNBA game
Former gymnast Jennifer Sey is organizing a protest outside the Target Center before the Indiana Fever face the Minnesota Lynx, supporting player Sophie Cunningham's stance on women’s sports.
Former U.S. gymnastics champion Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, announced a "Sophie Night" rally outside Minneapolis' Target Center on Sunday before the Indiana Fever play the Minnesota Lynx at 1 p.m. ET. The event follows similar demonstrations in Seattle and Portland supporting Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has publicly argued that women’s sports should be limited to biological females.
Sey said the Seattle rally attracted a strong majority of supporters for Cunningham and expects a larger, possibly more contentious crowd in Minnesota due to increased attention. She emphasized that the protest will be peaceful and intended to honor Cunningham.
Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, a vocal advocate for transgender inclusion, previously described political efforts to restrict transgender athletes as "sickening" and affirmed that "trans lives matter." Sey responded by stating that the issue is about males in women’s sports, not transgender rights.
The controversy intensified after a recent game in Seattle where a fan was fined and barred from future home games following a confrontation related to the debate. ICONS co-founder Kim Jones praised the WNBA’s decision not to punish Cunningham but called it only the "bare minimum" of support for female athletes.
Other activists, including former athletes Stephanie Turner, Kaylie Ray and Ainsley Erzen, expressed mixed reactions to the league’s response and highlighted concerns about harassment and safety for young supporters.
Sey has purchased two seats near the court and will give away four additional tickets to rally participants, stating the group will come with love and without name-calling, while welcoming dissent provided it remains peaceful.