Dozens of demonstrators assembled outside Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night to support Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's recent comments opposing transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports. The rally took place before the Fever's game against the Seattle Storm.
Protesters reportedly waved signs and backed Washington ballot initiatives that would ban transgender students from participating in girls' school sports. This demonstration followed Cunningham's public support for restricting transgender girls and women from competing in female sports, voiced in an interview with ESPN.
Inside the arena, Cunningham was booed by Storm fans when she entered the game and during her first free-throw attempts. Neither Cunningham nor teammate Caitlin Clark spoke to reporters after the game.
The Indiana Fever issued a statement through a team spokesperson, saying that neither the organisation nor Cunningham had any prior knowledge of the rally. Counterprotesters were also present, with a spokesperson for No Hate in Washington State stating the atmosphere remained largely peaceful.