WNBA trans-rights controversy fuels protests, co-owner suspension and calls for policy
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve urged the WNBA to adopt a clear transgender-player policy and defended protesters’ right to demonstrate outside the Lynx-Fever game on August 1 in Minneapolis. Reeve’s remarks followed a wave of controversy sparked by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, whose repeated statements that transgender women should not compete in women’s sports ignited protests, a fan-sign dispute in Seattle, and the league’s suspension of Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton. Cunningham first told ESPN in late July that she wanted to protect girls in sports from competing against biological males, describing herself as politically moderate and rejecting accusations of anti-trans sentiment (Fox News; The Cut). The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later defended Cunningham’s stance (Fox News).
According to Yahoo Sports, two teenage fans displaying signs supporting Cunningham were asked to remove them during a Seattle game. Fox News reported that the league fined and barred co-owner Celeste Keaton from five home games after she allegedly used profanity toward the teens. Fox News also noted that activists organized rallies in Portland and Minneapolis, and that former ESPN commentator Jemele Hill accused Cunningham of avoiding questions about the protests.
