Brooklyn, NY – Ahead of Saturday night’s WNBA matchup between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever, Liberty star forward Breanna Stewart urged fans to preserve the arena as a safe space for everyone. Stewart spoke to a small group of reporters on Saturday morning, noting that recent rallies outside Fever games have heightened tensions surrounding the league’s stance on transgender women competing in women’s sports.
Background of the debate
The discussion intensified after Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN in a recent profile that she opposes transgender girls and women participating in girls’ and women’s athletics. While the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement limits the league to women, it does not specifically address gender identity or sex assigned at birth, and no transgender player has yet competed in the league.
Rallies planned at the game
Protesters have gathered outside Indiana Fever home games in Indianapolis, and similar demonstrations are expected in Brooklyn before the Liberty‑Fever contest. Stewart said she wants both Liberty and Fever supporters to feel comfortable in the arena, emphasizing that the WNBA’s appeal lies in its inclusive atmosphere.
Stewart’s remarks on free speech and unity
“Knowing that rallies are happening on both sides shows the platform that the W has and the stunts for attention are just continuing to try and ride the wave that we have,” Stewart said. “I want Liberty fans and even Indy fans that are going to come here tonight to be able to have this arena be a safe space.” She added that fans attend games because they can be themselves, and that limiting free expression would raise larger constitutional concerns.
Stewart also addressed the incident in Atlanta last week, where WNBA security asked three fans to cover shirts bearing messages supporting transgender women’s participation. The league later clarified that the fans should have been allowed to wear the shirts.
Community response
Local community groups have expressed mixed reactions. Some parents and faith‑based organizations have voiced support for maintaining traditional definitions of women’s sports, while others argue that inclusion aligns with the league’s broader mission. Stewart stressed that personal opinions are welcome, but that attempts to divide teams, players, or fans should not be tolerated.
“If we don’t allow free speech, we need to really go back and look at more things. The bigger thing is people trying to divide us as teams, as teammates, or as opponents,” she said. “This league is incredibly inclusive, and we continue to fight for that. We don’t want to take that platform away.”
What’s next for the Liberty?
The Liberty will host the Fever on Saturday night at Barclays Center. Security measures are expected to be heightened, and arena staff have been briefed on handling protest signage. Stewart’s call for a respectful environment reflects the broader conversation about how professional sports balance free expression with the desire to keep venues welcoming for families and fans of all backgrounds.
As the debate continues nationwide, the Brooklyn game serves as a micro‑cosm of the larger cultural discussion, highlighting the role of athletes, fans, and league officials in shaping the future of women’s sports.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
