PORTLAND, ORE. — For the first time, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly addressed the growing response and controversy surrounding comments she made that many interpreted as transphobic regarding transgender women in sports.
In an interview with ESPN published July 21, Cunningham said, “I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that.’ I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Friday, before playing the Portland Fire, Cunningham, who was not made available to speak with media at the Fever’s game against the Seattle Storm on July 28 — a violation of WNBA media policies — reiterated her stance.
“I still stand by what I’ve said. I’ll never go back on that,” Cunningham said. “I think this is a great opportunity for the WNBA. You know, they preach diversity and being inclusive. So what a great opportunity for them to actually be that. And so we don’t always have to agree. We can still be kind. We can still thrive and be successful in the same area. And I think that’s what I’m going to do, and that’s what I have been doing.”
Cunningham also denied any responsibility for and did not express concern over pregame rallies that have been held in her name ahead of both the Seattle and Portland games this week, but verbalized her support for them. Another rally is planned for the Fever’s road game against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.
“I have honestly had nothing to do with them,” Cunningham said. “I think it’s people … 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’s able to be confident and be bold and courageous enough to speak their truths.”
When asked if the conversation around her comments has become a “distraction” for the team, Cunningham offered a short “no.”
“I think at the end of the day, I come in, and I do my job,” she explained. “I think everyone who knows me personally, they know that I’m full of love. I’m bubbly. I love the people around me. I love basketball. I love inspiring the next generation and doing that in a positive light. And so that doesn’t even cross my mind. Doesn’t cross my teammates’ minds. And again, I’m here to play basketball, but I’m also here to be me. And I’m not gonna shadow that, or hide, or dim my light just because maybe people don’t agree with that.”
Cunningham was loudly booed when she checked into the game off the bench during the first quarter, something that repeatedly occurred while she was on the floor.
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Portland Fire head coach Alex Sarama was also asked pregame about the rally and emphasized the “inclusivity” and “respect” that defines the city ahead of the game.
“I think as this great league grows, it attracts fans from all walks of life,” he said. “But when I think about Portland and what it means to live here, it’s inclusivity, it’s respect, and that’s why I’m so proud to be here. So, I just think that’s what’s most important tonight and for our fans. I want them to come and be comfortable and be safe like normal.
“I know what it means to be here and to live in Portland, and I’m so proud of all the values and what it means to be part of a community where these values are important, and it matters.”
Sarama also noted that the team hadn’t discussed Cunningham’s comments or her appearance at the game in the days leading up to the game.
He also added that regardless of what transpired outside the stadium, the transgender community in Portland has the support of the Fire organization.
“They have full support, and they’re a very important part of what the values of the Portland Fire are at the end of the day,” Sarama said. “And that’s why I said I want to make sure that all the fans who are coming here tonight … just making sure our fan base feel comfortable and supported when they come here to the Fire Pit.”
