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WNBA game sparks rallies over transgender athlete debate

A WNBA game in Minneapolis drew protests and counter-protests after Indiana's Sophie Cunningham's stance on transgender athletes sparked debate.

·1 min read·3 outlets

The short version

A WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx in Minneapolis on Sunday drew protests and counter-protests over transgender athlete participation. Supporters of Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham's position faced harassment outside the arena.

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

“every kid has a right to sports”
Cheryl Reeve, head coach, Minnesota Lynx1

Why it matters

  • The WNBA is the Women's National Basketball Association, the primary professional basketball league for women in the United States.6,4,2

  • Target Center is an indoor arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota, home to the Minnesota Lynx.6,3,2,1

This account was written from the 6 reports listed below, filed by 3 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Developing3 outlets
Left0Center1Right2

6 reports from 3 outlets. The numbers in the article point here.

Center2
Right-leaning4

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