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Anti-trans activists target WNBA as players and fans push back

The Guardian reports that rightwing activists have targeted the WNBA over efforts to ban trans women from sports, citing Sophie Cunningham's comments, while players and fans have pushed back at games and bars.

Updated Oct 17, 2026 · 16:16 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The Guardian reports that rightwing activists have targeted the WNBA since summer to ban trans women and girls from sports.[The Guardian]
  • The backlash followed Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's July comments, and sportswear company XX-XY has become visible at games.[The Guardian]
  • Players including Natasha Cloud and Gabby Williams have voiced support for trans teammates, and fans have rallied and defended sports bars.[The Guardian]
  • The league has no explicit rule on trans women, and the reporting does not describe any policy change.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • Since summer, rightwing activists have targeted the WNBA to ban trans women and girls from sports.[The Guardian]
  • In July, Sophie Cunningham told ESPN she wanted to protect young girls from competing against biological men.[The Guardian]
  • Fox News aired more than 200 segments about the WNBA in July, most of them focused on Cunningham's comments.[The Guardian]
  • XX-XY, a sportswear company that lobbies to exclude athletes based on assigned sex, has become visible at games and events.[The Guardian]
  • Players Natasha Cloud and Gabby Williams have voiced support for trans teammates, and Williams said in May she would welcome one.[The Guardian]
  • Fans have held rallies, brought signs into games, and defended sports bars as safe spaces for women and LGBTQ+ fans.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • The reporting does not establish that the activism will change league or state policy; its practical effect remains unclear.[The Guardian]
  • The label anti-trans dog-whistle for Cunningham's remarks is The Guardian's characterization, not an established finding, and the story rests on a single outlet.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.