Ever since Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham spoke out against transgender women in women’s sports, the league has dealt with anti-trans rallies outside of Indiana Fever games as fans express their support for Cunningham and her views. Now, one WNBA star wants a “safe space.”
As discourse about transgender athletes has engulfed the league, two-time WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart has made it clear that while she supports free speech, she wants there to be a “safe space” for all fans.
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Sophie Cunningham Rallies
The anti-trans, pro-Cunningham rallies began during the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm in Seattle, when some groups planned a rally in support of Cunningham and against transgender women in women’s sports.
“Women Are Real, Known Heretic, and Brandi Kruse are organizing a celebratory pre-game fan rally with local female athletes outside Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, July 28, before the Indiana Fever take on the Seattle Storm. The rally will show public support for Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has faced a wave of criticism since a July 22 ESPN profile in which she expressed support for female-only sports and locker rooms. Cunningham describes her position as one of honesty and care, saying her concern is for young girls who should not have to compete against males. ‘With love is truth,’ she said, and we agree,” the rally’s announcement read at the time.
Since then, a number of other rallies have followed, both in Indianapolis and outside of opposing arenas.
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Breanna Stewart Speaks Out
With more rallies planned outside of Saturday’s game between the Fever and the New York Liberty outside of their home stadium in Brooklyn, Liberty star Breanna Stewart spoke out as she made it clear that she wants a safe and inclusive space.
“Knowing that rallies are happening on both sides shows the platform that the W has and the stunts for attention are just continuing to try and ride the wave that we have,” Stewart told a small group of reporters Saturday morning via ESPN. “I want Liberty fans and even Indy fans that are going to come here tonight to be able to have this arena be a safe space.”
Stewart said that fans come to games in part because “they can feel like they can be themselves in whatever capacity that is and we don’t want to lose sight of that.”
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That said, the Liberty star made it clear that she believes everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and if free speech isn’t allowed, then that would be a much bigger issue.
“If we don’t allow [free speech], we need to like really kind of go back and look at more things. I think the bigger thing is people are trying to divide us as teams, but also as teammates or as opponents,” she said. “This league is incredibly inclusive and what we continue to fight for and stand up against. So, we don’t want to take that platform away.”
The post ‘Stunts for attention’: WNBA star Breanna Stewart wants ‘a safe space’ amid anti-trans rallies appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
