100 signatures reached
To: Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
Keep Transphobia out of the WNBA!
Discrimination and hate have no place in women’s basketball, period.
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham recently made remarks saying that it was “commonsense” to bar transgender athletes from women’s and girls sports—and then doubled down when asked again.
These comments have energized far right extremists and the Trump administration, which has amplified the comments, sending a barrage of harassment and hate directed to trans athletes and fans.
It is the responsibility of the WNBA to ensure a positive and safe environment for players and fans. Cunningham’s remarks—and how they are being weaponized by people in power—not only signals that LGBTQ+ communities are not welcome, it puts them in danger of harassment and even violence .
Sign the petition calling on the WNBA and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert to issue a statement condemning transphobia.
Why is this important?
Anti-trans rhetoric flies in the face of the WNBA’s “No Space for Hate” campaign, one that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert describes as “a unifying force—a place where people from all walks of life come together not just to watch a game, but to connect.”
But by staying silent in the face of blatantly anti-trans comments, the WNBA is failing in its mission to be a place with “No Space for Hate.”
Women’s basketball has a rich history of LGBTQ+ players who have shaped the league and helped build it to what it is today. The sport is best when it embraces the diverse skills, backgrounds, and identities of players and fans alike to build a vibrant and celebratory community.
There are so many physical, mental, and social benefits to being a part of a team and being a fan—and trans people belong in our courts and stadiums. It’s clear the issue of trans women and girls competing in women’s sports is being weaponized by extremists to divide and distract us.
According to the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), there are less than 10 transgender athletes playing in collegiate sports, out of 510,000. There are real issues and inequities that face women and nonbinary athletes—like pay, facility access, medical care, mental health support, sponsorships, and media representation. But extremists want to focus on a non-issue to stoke fear, anger, and division. That’s the opposite of what the WNBA should be fostering.
If we really wanted to protect women and girls, we would stop transphobia and allow all women—cisgender and transgender—their right to play sports.
The WNBA has already made their stance clear with their “No Space for Hate” campaign. Now is the time to back up their words with actions. Sign the petition demanding the WNBA publicly support trans players and fans!