Multiple fans asked WNBA security to cover T-shirts with messages about transgender athletes participating in women’s sports during Sunday’s game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream. A statement from a WNBA spokesperson said that individuals should not have been asked to do so.
According to the statement, “The WNBA is aware of the interaction at last night’s game in Atlanta where fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened.”
One person wore a shirt in support of transgender people, while two wore a T-shirt with the message “XX-XY”. During a segment called the “Jam Cam” between the first and second quarters on Sunday, the State Farm Arena video board briefly showed a woman wearing a “Protect Trans Kids” T-shirt. Another person was shown during the broadcast wearing a T-shirt with the words: “Trans kids belong in sports” at the end of regulation and in overtime.
Security officials were notified by the league that they acted improperly in requesting that the messages be covered up. The WNBA provides security for all league games.
The Dream released a statement Monday saying, “The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. Unfortunately, at last night’s game, WNBA security took actions that did not meet that standard. At no time were Dream staff involved in decisions made by WNBA security.”
The topic of transgender athletes competing in sports has been in the discourse of the WNBA from the Fever forward Sophie Cunningham spoke about this topic in an ESPN profile which was launched in July. She said in the article that it was “common sense” to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Small demonstrations, including people supporting and opposing Cunningham’s comments, appeared in Seattle, Portland and Minneapolis afterward.
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was wearing a “Protect Trans Kids” T-shirt. when Indiana played at Minnesota two weeks ago.
The players’ union condemned the “hate, abuse and demonization” of the transgender community in a statement released on August 7. On the same day, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo team presidents, coaches and general managers emphasizing the need to approach the topic with integrity and respect. A task force of general managers and presidents held a meeting with league leadership next week, during which the WNBA denounced “bad faith efforts” to use the league as a prop regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The WNBA currently does not have a single transgender person in the league. There are no immediate eligibility concerns regarding potential transgender athletes.