Protests and counter-demonstrations occurred outside the Barclays Center on Saturday ahead of the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty, as the league continues to grapple with the debate surrounding transgender athletes.
On one side of the arena entrance, protestors holding transgender and rainbow flags carried signs with messages such as ‘Liberty fans stand with trans kids’ and ‘Dunk on transphobia.’ Simultaneously, another group, displaying American flags and signs bearing ‘XX-XY,’ voiced their support for Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham and advocated for excluding transgender athletes from women's sports.
XX-XY Athletics, a group opposing transgender athletes in women's sports, endorsed Cunningham's stance, which has fueled the league's debate over gender eligibility criteria. Amy Sousa, an organizer for XX-XY Athletics, stated that the group's focus is on protecting girls' sports, privacy, safety, and fairness based on sex, advocating for sports to be segregated by sex.
Cunningham ignited controversy when she spoke about protecting young girls in women's sports, drawing backlash and, conversely, support from campaign groups. Former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have announced intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft, aiming to challenge the league's transgender eligibility policy. The WNBA's collective bargaining agreement states that only women are eligible to play, but the absence of a specific definition or policy on transgender participation has become a focal point for these challenges.
Sousa criticized the WNBA's handling of the issue, suggesting the league is vulnerable to infiltration by individuals who identify as women. She also called for the resignation of WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, describing the situation as embarrassing and disappointing.
The protests escalated when an individual reportedly disrupted the pro-trans rally, declaring an intent to enter the WNBA Draft. This action was met with whistles and chants from the opposing campaigners, leading to police intervention. Officers escorted the individual away from the scene.
Cunningham has faced boos at recent games, with ongoing protests and demonstrations in support of her becoming a regular occurrence at WNBA events across the country.
