Fans and protesters gather at Target Center as Fever face Lynx amid debate over transgender athletes

A mixed crowd of supporters and critics of Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham's recent comments on transgender participation in women's sports gathered inside and outside the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday as the Indiana Fever played the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx, the league's top team, defeated the Fever 108-100.

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a light-blue shirt that read “Trans kids belong” and noted that both she and Cunningham recognize their public platforms and aim to educate on the issue. > "Both of us understand that we have platforms and we both talked about wanting to, more than anything, educate," Reeve said. "There are some things that we have in common, and maybe some things you differ on, just like any issues. I think it’s how you handle things. It was nice to be in person, for sure."

Cunningham was booed by the crowd after her first touch of the ball and continued to receive vocal opposition throughout the game. Outside the arena, protesters used a loudspeaker to chant “Protect trans women” and displayed signs such as “Love is truth” and “Thank you Sophie.”

After the loss, Fever forward Caitlin Clark said the team remains focused on basketball and leaves policy discussions to leagues and governing bodies. > "I think it’s for leagues and governing bodies to work with their athletes to find solutions," Clark said. "Our focus is on basketball. That’s what we talk about and how we can get wins and obviously we didn’t do that tonight. So we need to find an area to improve in that way."

Cunningham, speaking before the game in Portland, said she does not view the rallies as a distraction for the team. > "I think everyone who knows me personally, they know that I’m full of love. I’m bubbly. I love the people around me," she said. "I love basketball. I love inspiring the next generation and doing that in a positive light. And so that doesn’t even cross my mind. Doesn’t cross my teammates’ minds."