Indiana Fever guard sparked one of the defining controversies of 2026 when her comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports were published in an ESPN profile on her on July 21.
“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.”
The comments led to rallies in support of Cunningham outside of Fever games, a statement from the White House, and even multiple coaches around the league to weigh in.
“Our new battle”
Now, Golden State Valkyries All-Star and French National team star Gabby Williams is addressing the topic, and she’s approaching it with inclusivity.
“I think it’s trans rights now is our new battle,” Williams said. “That’s what I think I was saying, that like the battles have changed. Oh yes. You know, like our intention has been the same, but now that the environment has changed, we see trans people’s rights being stripped away from them.
WNBA star Gabby Williams supports trans women playing in the league:
“I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team.” pic.twitter.com/5DKMjXC040
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) August 6, 2026
“There’s a lot of discourse around trans athletes and what they can compete in. I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team any time. I don’t think it’s a problem in the world. It’s just another way to kind of attack trans people. You know, we’ve seen players like Layshia Clarendon who stepped into that forefront. Have been brave enough and courageous enough to kind of step up. So I guess that’s the next battle that we have to fight as athletes.”
She’s not alone
Williams joins her head coach, Natalie Nakase, who also voiced her support for the transgender community.
“I think just in terms of how I’m seeing it is, if I can answer, for me sports is about belonging. It’s about inclusivity. It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self,” Nakase said.
“I’m big on that because I have been criticized for my height, for my ethnicity. I’ve been in those ‘you shouldn’t belong here,’ [moments] and for me I don’t want that space, especially Golden State, to ever feel like that. I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women. So I’m all about inclusivity.”
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.