Multiple fans were asked by WNBA security to cover shirts bearing messages regarding transgender athlete participation in women\u2019s sports during Sunday\u2019s game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream. A statement from a WNBA spokesperson said the individuals should not have been asked to do so.<\/p>\n
Per the statement, \u201cThe WNBA is aware of interactions at last night\u2019s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts. This should not have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
One individual was wearing a shirt in support of transgender people, while two were wearing a shirt with the \u201cXX-XY\u201d message. During a segment called \u201cJam Cam\u201d between the first and second quarters on Sunday, the State Farm Arena video board briefly showed a woman wearing a \u201cProtect Trans Kids\u201d T-shirt. Another individual was shown during the broadcast wearing a T-shirt saying, \u201cTrans kids belong in sports\u201d at the end of the regulation and in overtime.<\/p>\n
The security officials have been informed by the league that they acted incorrectly by asking the messages to be covered. The WNBA provides security for all league games.<\/p>\n
The Dream released a statement Monday, saying, \u201cThe Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night\u2019s game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard. At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security.\u201d<\/p>\n
The subject of transgender athletes competing in sports has been in the WNBA discourse since Fever forward Sophie Cunningham spoke on the topic in an ESPN profile<\/a> that ran in July. She said in the article that it was \u201ccommon sense\u201d to bar transgender athletes from competing in women\u2019s sports. Small demonstrations, including people in support of and against Cunningham\u2019s comments, popped up in Seattle, Portland and Minneapolis in the aftermath.<\/p>\n Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wore a \u201cProtect Trans Kids\u201d shirt<\/a> when Indiana played at Minnesota two weeks ago.<\/p>\n