The WNBA has stated that its security personnel mishandled an incident at a recent game between the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever, where fans wearing shirts with messages supporting transgender inclusion and those advocating for women's sports were asked to cover their apparel. The league issued a statement acknowledging that the situation "should not have happened."
Kasey and Annie Thomason, supporters of WNBA player Sophie Cunningham and her stance on women's sports, reported that a security representative approached them in the fourth quarter of the August 16th game. The Thomasons, who were wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts, stated that a security member, not in typical uniform but rather a tan suit, informed them that someone found their shirts offensive. They were given a choice: wear provided Atlanta Dream "Wellness & Health Night" shirts or leave the arena.
According to the Thomasons, the complaint originated from a woman wearing a "Protect Trans Kids" shirt. They also noted that WNBA security had previously asked a person wearing a "Protect Trans Kids" shirt to cover it before approaching them. Both groups of fans, the Thomasons asserted, should have been permitted to express their views.
"She should be able to wear whatever she wants to wear, and we should be able to wear whatever we want to wear, unless it's, like, hate speech, which is not what either of our T-shirts were," Annie Thomason said.
The Thomasons ultimately complied and put on the Dream shirts to watch the remainder of the game, which went into overtime and was won by the Indiana Fever. Following their compliance, Annie said a friend of the woman in the "Protect Trans Kids" shirt addressed her, implying she was involved in the security's decision to ask them to cover their shirts.
Spectators around them, including other Fever fans, expressed surprise at the security's intervention. One individual reportedly pointed to a husband's shirt discussing religious themes and questioned if he would also be asked to cover it.
The incident follows a previous confrontation at a Fever-Seattle Storm game, where two teenage Cunningham supporters wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel reported being confronted by pro-trans fans and a Storm minority owner. That earlier incident resulted in the suspension of Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton.
In the Atlanta incident, however, the league's acknowledgment suggests an attempt to address both sides of the apparel issue. The Atlanta Dream stated their employees were not involved in the decision, placing responsibility on league security.
Despite their differing views on transgender participation in women's sports, the Thomasons emphasized the right of all individuals to express their opinions. "It’s America," they said. "Everyone can have their own opinion. Disagree with me. That’s fine. I’ll still be your friend and support you as a person. I’m not going to support your opinions and your ideas, but we’re still humans. We live in the U.S."
Kasey Thomason indicated that Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics, was considering organizing supporters to wear their gear at an upcoming Fever-Liberty game in New York. The WNBA's admission of mishandling the situation suggests that, regardless of differing viewpoints, fans should not be compelled to conceal their messages.