U.S. Representative Questions Why ‘Protecting Women’ Is Controversial Amid Sophie Cunningham’s Trans-Athlete Drama

Sophie Cunningham stirred intense controversy last month by speaking out against the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports.

The Indiana Fever guard has now received support from U.S. Rep Nancy Mace, who has framed the backlash against the WNBA star as an unfair attack against women.

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U.S. Congresswoman Throws Support Behind Sophie Cunningham Amid Trans-Athlete Controversy

Ever since Cunningham weighed in on the trans-athlete debate in an interview with ESPN, supporters on both sides of the issue have spoken out and even held protests outside of arenas ahead of Fever games. The controversy started after Cunningham, one of the league’s most prominent players, claimed that trans athletes should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports.

“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” Cunningham said.

In the wake of her comments, Cunningham received plenty of support from politicians and right-wing activists. However, she has also faced criticism from some WNBA fans.

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Mace, a Republican congresswoman from South Carolina, lamented the backlash Cunningham and other activists received for simply speaking up about “protecting women.”

“How did we get to a place where protecting women in their own sports is considered hateful?” Rep. Mace wrote on X on Tuesday. In a follow-up post, she added, “And racist,” alluding to a polarizing column from The Guardian that described Cunningham as “anti-Black.”