The WNBA and the Atlanta Dream have voiced strong disapproval of the actions taken by security personnel at Atlanta’s Gateway Center Arena, where a mother-daughter duo was instructed to cover their “XX-XY Athletics” shirts advocating for Indiana Fever’s standout player, Sophie Cunningham.
According to recent reports, an incident occurred on Sunday at a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) game, drawing attention due to its controversial nature. A mother and her daughter claimed they were mandated to conceal their “XX-XY Athletics” apparel. This unfolded amidst a heated national discussion on the participation of transgender athletes in female sports.
Casey, the mother involved, recounted the event, saying, “We were instructed to cover up our XX-XY shirts at the game. In overtime, they handed us T-shirts, stating we needed to either wear them or leave. This happened right there and then.”
She further elaborated, “All we were doing was sitting quietly. I had considered making signs beforehand but ultimately chose not to. I simply attended the game without any protest actions.”
In response to the backlash flooding social media, the WNBA swiftly issued a statement on Monday, expressing regret over the incident and acknowledging that such an occurrence “should not have happened.”
“The WNBA is aware of interactions at last night’s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts,” a WNBA spokesperson said. “This should not have happened.”
Likewise, the Atlanta Dream released a statement of its own denouncing security’s actions.
“The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night’s game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in decisions made by the WNBA security,” the team said in a statement shared to its social media.
Speaking with ESPN recently, Sophie Cunningham expressed support for keeping biological men out of women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham told ESPN.
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” she added.
Her comments sparked severe backlash from the online left, prompting her to double down in a press conference.
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense, and I think I will always believe in that. “I think it’s really important to protect children.” “
“I don’t dislike anyone,” she added. ” I’m there to love, but I’m also there to love biological women.”