The media Sophie Cunninghamplayer of the Indiana Fever of the WNBA, reaffirmed comments she made in an article recently published by ESPNstating that it is ‘a matter of common sense’ to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
I consider it very important to protect children, including girls who participate in that category. I stand by what I said
In the article Cunningham expressed his desire to “protect girls in locker rooms” and pointed out that “they shouldn’t have to deal with biological men”.
Sophie Cunningham defends that it is “common sense” to exclude trans athletes from women’s sports: “Girls must be protected in the locker rooms”
“I said what I said. I think it’s a matter of common sense. And I think I will always think that way. I consider it very important to protect children, including the girls who participate in that category. I stand by what I said,” Cunningham said before his team’s game against the Connecticut Sun.
The participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports has become an increasingly politicized issue in the United States; Recently, the Supreme Court upheld state bans preventing trans athletes from competing alongside cisgender athletes.
The ruling came about a year after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to try to prevent trans athletes compete in women’s sports.
Cunningham, to whom They have named it “MAGA (Make America Great Again) Barbie”added that “I am not a very political person,” but that her principles prompted her to raise her voice.
The WNBA player highlighted the importance of Title IX, a gender equality law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funds. This pioneering law is credited with exponentially increasing the participation of girls and women in sports in the United States. “That’s why Title IX exists. That’s why we have some of the great figures in women’s sports. If Title IX and women’s sports weren’t protected, we wouldn’t hear about women in sports. That’s why I think it’s really important to protect it in the future.”
Asked if she thought her comments could be considered derogatory toward trans athletes, Cunningham said she has “no dislike for anyone” and that there is “room to love everyone.”
“But I’m also here to support biological women, and I believe that there are rights that should be protected. And, like I said, I will stand firm on that. I will never waver in my beliefs on this. But I have never said that I hate the trans community,” Cunningham noted.