Rallies surround Fever-Lynx game after Sophie Cunningham’s stance on transgender athletes
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A crowd of critics and supporters of Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham’s stance on transgender participation in women’s sports gathered around and inside Target Center…
A crowd of supporters and detractors of Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham's stance on transgender athletes in women's sports swelled around the Target Center on Sunday as the Fever battled the Lynx. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve donned a blue shirt emblazoned with the message "Trans kids belong" while coaching from the bench. In the stands, fans donned shirts proclaiming "Trans kids belong in sports."
The third consecutive Fever game had witnessed a rally following Cunningham's recent endorsement of barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's sports in an ESPN article published last week. Before tip-off, Cunningham and Reeve engaged in a midcourt conversation. Cunningham faced boos from the crowd on her initial play of the game.
Outside the arena, a line of supporters stood near the entrance, repeating the chant "Protect trans women." Signs reading "Love is truth" and "Thank you Sophie" were prominently displayed. Cunningham commented on Friday in Portland that she was unconcerned about rallies against transgender participation in women's sports becoming a distraction for the Fever.
"I think everyone who knows me personally, they know that I’m full of love. I’m bubbly. I love the people around me," Cunningham 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."
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