{"id":812935,"date":"2026-08-14T02:58:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T02:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/812935\/"},"modified":"2026-08-14T02:58:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T02:58:18","slug":"every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/812935\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Every kind of person is here’ \u2014 fans celebrate the Valkyries’ stance on inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outside the Valkyries home game on Wednesday, Arne Johnson stood underneath a billowing transgender rights flag. As a parent of a trans child and a member of Rainbow Families Action<\/a>, he had a message for the Valkyries: gratitude. “We\u2019re here today to thank Gabby and the coach for speaking so clearly and explicitly,” he said.<\/p>\n

Johnson is referencing comments<\/a> made by the Valkyries star player Gabby Williams, who said, “I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team any time, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a problem in the world, it\u2019s just another way to attack trans people.”<\/p>\n

\"Outside<\/p>\n

Maya Goldberg-Safir<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

KALW News. <\/p>\n

Outside of Chase Center, or “Ballhalla,” as its affectionately known, trans rights advocates wave a transgender pride flag. <\/p>\n

Last month, Indiana fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN<\/a> in a print feature that she\u2019s against “biological men” in women\u2019s sports. She then doubled down at a press conference<\/a>: “I mean I said what I said, I think it\u2019s kind of common sense.”<\/p>\n

In fact, no transgender women have ever been known to play in the WNBA. But Cunningham\u2019s words proved to be a political dog whistle.<\/p>\n

Last week, two retired NBA players<\/a> announced they\u2019re intending to declare for the 2027 WNBA draft. On Wednesday, the league denounced stunts like this as being in \u201cbad faith.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Outside of Chase Center on Wednesday, Johnson said that trans youth face severe disadvantages in sports. <\/p>\n

“Everybody’s kids are told when they’re young, as a transgender person, that you are not allowed in these spaces,” said Johnson. “And so, by the time they’re old enough to be good enough, they’ve already been driven out [by] the feeling that they don’t belong.”<\/p>\n

\"Local<\/p>\n

Maya Goldberg-Safir<\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

KALW News <\/p>\n

Local transgender community organizer, artist and politician Honey Mahogany – also a Valkyries fan – attended the August 12 home game at Chase Center. <\/p>\n

Johnson expressed pride in being a Valkyries fan, a team he says is welcoming to queer community. “Look around us! There\u2019s every kind of person is here, and they\u2019re all going into this game.\u00a0 We\u2019re not gonna go away just because a couple snots do some things online.”<\/p>\n

At Ballhalla, says Johnson, “everybody gets to be here.” That includes transgender fans and their allies, who are here to stay.<\/p>\n