Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham generated a lot of headlines last week when she spoke out against transgender women playing in women’s sports. However, it’s since become clear that not everyone agrees with that stance.
Since Cunningham’s comments, a number of WNBA coaches have seemingly opposed Cunningham’s point of view. On Sunday, another coach offered some dissenting words.
Cunningham Spoke Out on Trans Athletes
The controversy began last month when Cunningham publicly shared her controversial stance on transgender athletes.
During a recent interview for an ESPN profile, Cunningham was asked about her political beliefs, including the “MAGA Barbie” nickname that has followed her in recent months. In her response, the Fever guard addressed the issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she 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.”
A few days later, Cunningham doubled down on her comments, calling them “common sense.”
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” Cunningham said earlier this week. “And I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said.”
Cunningham also revisited the topic in a post on X while reacting to a recent incident involving two teenage girls who said they were verbally confronted by a Seattle Storm co-owner, who was later suspended.
“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY. Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind,” Cunningham wrote in a post on X. “Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner.”
Although Cunningham was not made available to reporters following the Fever’s win over the Seattle Storm earlier this week, she addressed the continued backlash before Friday night’s game against the Portland Fire, making it clear that she has no intention of backing down from the criticism surrounding her remarks.
Natalie Nakase Defends Trans Athletes
Since Cunningham’s made her controversial stance public, a number of WNBA coaches have been asked about it. Fever coach Stephanie White spoke out against exclusion while Portland Fire coach Alex Sarama emphasized inclusivity. Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve gave the most thorough and thoughtful answer yet when she emphasized the importance of protecting “trans kids.” Now, another coach has joined that chorus.
On Sunday, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was asked her opinion on the debate. She, like her colleagues, stressed inclusivity.
“For me sports is about belonging. It’s about inclusivity. It’s about allowing everyone to be their authentic self. 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,” she said via Jackson Thompson of Fox.
“I’m all about women, little girls deserving to play, and that includes trans women. So I’m all about inclusivity.”
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.