WNBA Fans Accused of Harassing Sports Activists at Finals Game

Women's sports activists, including XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey, reported experiencing verbal harassment and threats from fellow attendees at Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. The group stated they were targeted for wearing T-shirts bearing the XX-XY logo, which advocates say represents biological reality in sports.

According to Sey, the initial interactions with nearby fans were cordial. However, as the game progressed, the atmosphere became more confrontational. Sey described one fan aggressively pointing at her group and filming them, seemingly in response to their shirts. This fan, along with a companion, later confronted Sey's group, leading to a discussion with security.

Video shared online by Sey appears to show the fan who alerted security holding a "Trans Lives Matter" sign. Sey and her friends were escorted from their seats to speak with security personnel. During this time, other fans reportedly directed insults and aggressive behavior towards them.

Sey recounted that as they were being escorted, many fans in their section offered gestures and shouted offensive remarks, including wishing death upon them and calling them "disgusting people." One fan reportedly engaged in highly aggressive verbal abuse, telling Sey to "eat my a– after you s—. You're disgusting" and to "f—— kill yourself," while also attempting to knock Sey's phone out of her hand.

Security informed Sey's group that a complaint had been lodged against them, alleging they were "instigating" with their shirts. After a conversation, security determined the shirts did not violate the Fan Code of Conduct but asked the group to avoid holding them up or directing them towards other fans. Sey stated security offered them an escort out of the arena for their safety due to the hostility from other attendees.

This incident follows previous controversies involving WNBA fans and apparel related to discussions about transgender athletes. Earlier in the season, similar incidents reportedly occurred where individuals wearing XX-XY shirts faced scrutiny or were asked to cover them. In one instance, a Seattle Storm co-owner was fined and suspended after allegedly verbally attacking teenage fans wearing the shirts at a game.

XX-XY Athletics has been vocal in advocating for women's sports to be defined by biological sex. Sey has previously traveled to various WNBA games to support figures and discussions related to this stance.

Gabby Williams, a player for the Golden State Valkyries, has publicly stated her support for the inclusion of transgender athletes in sports, contrasting with the views represented by the XX-XY movement.