On Tuesday night, a small group of weirdos held an anti-trans rally outside of the Seattle Storm’s home arena. The occasion for their gathering was a game against the Indiana Fever and bench player Sophie Cunningham, who had recently participated in an ESPN profile where she said she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
The rally seems like it was a dud, but the organizers got more of the attention they were after inside the arena. Sitting courtside during the game were two teen girls holding signs that read “Thank you Sophie for speaking up for girls,” and “We love you Sophie.” They were both wearing shirts from an apparel brand that donates money to anti-trans organizations. After the game, the two girls made a video with anti-trans agitator Brandi Kruse, in which they claimed they were told off in the arena by Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton. They said that Keaton told them they were “fucking insane.”
The Storm reacted to this accusation first by apologizing for Keaton’s actions, and then the WNBA fined and banned her from the team’s next five home games.
I appreciate the post, thank you.
I am glad I haven’t seen this sort of hate in the PWHL, which feels more welcoming from my limited viewings.
I went to one of those games recently. Holy damn was it fun, and the stadium was full! I brought my kiddo who went from reading in the box to reading in the stands to watching the game and getting into it! I definitely want to go again. We had a blast
Of the big three women’s sports leagues with teams here in seattle – pwhl, wnba, and nwsl – the w does seem to be the one that is most popular amongst conservatives. The minnesota frost are low key the indiana fever of the p dub tho.