WNBA game sparks rallies over transgender athlete debate

The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Indiana Fever 108-100.6,4,3,2,1 Supporters of Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham gathered outside Target Center in Minneapolis before and during the game.6,2 Cunningham has stated that biological males should not compete in women's sports.4,2

Critics and supporters of Cunningham's stance held rallies around and inside the arena.6 Women's sports advocates outside the arena wore shirts from XX-XY Athletics and held signs with slogans such as 'Pro-Women, Not Anti-Trans'.2 Transgender rights activists harassed and hurled slurs at Cunningham's supporters before the game, according to reports.3,2

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt reading 'Trans Kids Belong' underneath her blazer during the game.3,1 Reeve reiterated her support for transgender athletes ahead of the game, saying 'every kid has a right to sports.'1 Caitlin Clark, a player for the Indiana Fever, addressed Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes for the first time after the game.5,4

Clark avoided taking a side in the controversy during her remarks to reporters.4 The controversy surrounding Cunningham's stance has become a major flashpoint across the WNBA.2