‘It’s nothing new’: Sophie Cunningham does not want to talk about anti-trans rallies
· Yahoo Sports
Ever since Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham spoke out against transgender women in women’s sports, anti-trans rallies have taken place outside of Indiana Fever games as fans express their support for Cunningham and her views. Cunningham, however, does not seem to want to talk about them.
The rallies have been using Cunningham’s name, image, and likeness to continue to speak out against trans women in women’s sports, but Cunningham is not all that interested in speaking out about them, even as another one took place ahead of Saturday night’s game in Brooklyn against the New York Liberty.
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‘It’s nothing new’
Before the game, Cunningham was asked about the rallies that continue to use her name, image, and likeness. Cunningham, however, did not really want to talk about the rallies, deferring to what she has said previously.
“I think I said what I said. It’s nothing new; it’s happened every game,” Cunningham said before Saturday night’s game. “I’ve kind of already stated how I feel about all of that. I’m focused on New York tonight.”
Cunningham notes that while the team has already clinched a playoff spot, she’s focused on “dialing in” on basketball. She also made it clear that while the rallies have been going on outside the arena, she has nothing to do with them.
“It’s cool that people are using their freedom of speech and doing what they want to do, but that’s them. I’m in my two feet; I’m where I’m at. And I’m just focused on New York,” Cunningham said.
Following the first rally, which took place in Seattle ahead of the team’s game against the Seattle Storm, Cunningham called the attendees “bold and courageous.”
“I have honestly had nothing to do with them,” Cunningham said via ESPN. “I think it’s people just practicing their rights of freedom of speech and doing what other fans have been doing since the WNBA has started. And so, props to them, props to everyone who is able to be competent and be bold and courageous enough to speak their truths.”
Breanna Stewart Spoke Out
Cunningham might not have wanted to speak all that much about the rallies, but before Saturday night’s game, Liberty star Breanna Stewart spoke out as she made it clear that she wants a safe and inclusive space.
“Knowing that rallies are happening on both sides shows the platform that the W has and the stunts for attention are just continuing to try and ride the wave that we have,” Stewart told a small group of reporters Saturday morning via ESPN. “I want Liberty fans and even Indy fans that are going to come here tonight to be able to have this arena be a safe space.”
Stewart said that fans come to games in part because “they can feel like they can be themselves in whatever capacity that is and we don’t want to lose sight of that.”
That said, the Liberty star made it clear that she believes everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and if free speech isn’t allowed, then that would be a much bigger issue.
“If we don’t allow [free speech], we need to like really kind of go back and look at more things. I think the bigger thing is people are trying to divide us as teams, but also as teammates or as opponents,” she said. “This league is incredibly inclusive and what we continue to fight for and stand up against. So, we don’t want to take that platform away.”
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