Rallies are scheduled to take place outside WNBA arenas in Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, this weekend in support of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. The events follow a controversy that erupted during a game in Seattle.
Amy Sousa, an activist who organized a similar rally in Seattle, is leading the effort in Portland. The rally is set for Friday evening outside the Moda Center before the Fever play the Portland Fire. A second rally in Minneapolis, organized by XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey, will take place Sunday before the Fever face the Minnesota Lynx.
"I don’t want to be quiet about this," Sousa told Fox News Digital. "I want to stand in public solidarity with those girls. I also want to stand in public solidarity with Sophie and keep this momentum going."
The movement gained national attention after an incident in Seattle prior to the Indiana Fever's game against the Seattle Storm. Supporters gathered outside the arena to voice their support for Cunningham's stance on women's sports, particularly her comments that girls should not have to compete against biological males. A group of counterprotesters also assembled nearby, advocating for transgender inclusion.
According to Sousa, two 16-year-old girls wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts sat courtside at the Seattle game with a sign reading, "Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls." The teenagers alleged that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton approached them, used profanity, and made religious remarks. The Seattle Storm later issued an apology, and the WNBA fined Keaton and barred her from attending the team's next five home games.
Cunningham responded to the incident on social media, stating, "I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY." She also expressed her support for the girls, adding, "Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe."
Sousa indicated that organizers anticipate opposition at the Portland rally, citing a previous event in the city where activists reported vandalism and physical altercations. Kara Dansky, an activist who attended that event, is expected to participate in the Portland rally.
Jennifer Sey, a former U.S. gymnastics national champion, is involved in the Minneapolis rally. Her company, XX-XY Athletics, markets itself as an athletic brand focused on preserving female sports. Sey has stated that she has been trying to recruit Cunningham as an ambassador for her company.
Cunningham has publicly stated her position is not based on animosity toward transgender people, but rather on a desire to "protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men." She has referred to this position as "common sense" and stated she would not retract it.
Organizers expect the rallies to draw attention to Cunningham's views and to show solidarity with her position on issues surrounding women's sports.