Sophie Cunningham has once again caught the spotlight with her latest remarks on the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports. In an interview with ESPN, she said that she wanted “to protect young girls in a locker room.” And now, her fellow league player and former Indiana Fever veteran, Brianna Turner, has opened up about her thoughts on the matter.
During a media session, basketball analyst Andrew Dukowitz talked to the president of the Minnesota Lynx, Cheryl Reeve, about her stance on transgender inclusion in the WNBA and other women’s sports leagues. Reeve believed that “the attacks on trans people” have “got way more aggressive.”
Resharing Reeve’s statement on X, Turner shared a lengthy thread, clarifying her stance on the issue. She wrote:
“I’ve been an advocate for the trans community since I entered the WNBA. So many takes about them are based on fear mongering and bigotry.”
In further posts, the Las Vegas Aces forward stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and claimed that she was ready to take all the hate for supporting them.
Turner summed up her thoughts in a heartfelt message at the end that read:
“To any trans kids or adults reading this I promise your life matters. I promise there’s people in this country that want to see you reach old age and live your truth. You are worth it. Trans lives will ALWAYS matter.”
Even though Cunningham has stated that she wasn’t associated with any political side of the country, her statement has given rise to several speculations among fans. Turner was also part of the same team as Cunningham last season and averaged her career-low numbers: 8.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg and 1.9 apg.
Sophie Cunningham says “it’s common sense,” defending her earlier stance
While talking to the media about her statement on ESPN about transgender women, Sophie Cunningham believed that it was “common sense.” After the Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun, 123-88, before going into the All-Star break, Cunningham backed her earlier stance on the issue and said:
“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense.
“When it comes just to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that. That’s why you have Title IX.
“That’s why you have some of the greats in women’s sports. If Title IX women’s sports weren’t protected, then you wouldn’t hear about any type of women in sport. I have never once said that I hated the trans community.”
Cunningham did not have the best of days against the Sun, as she couldn’t make any field goal. All of her eight points came from free throws.
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