The Indiana Fever, a women’s basketball team, has become a focal point for right-wing activists who are concerned about issues of gender and race. Recently, a group of teenage girls wearing shirts that read ‘XX/XY’ – a reference to human sex chromosomes – were confronted by Celeste Keaton, a co-owner of the Seattle Storm, at a game between the Storm and the Fever.

Background

The incident occurred after Sophie Cunningham, a player for the Fever, expressed her opinion that it is ‘common sense’ to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The shirts worn by the teenage girls were created by XX-XY Athletics, a brand founded by right-wing advocate Jennifer Sey, which aims to keep transgender women out of women’s sports.

Keaton was fined and suspended for five home games by the league for her role in the incident. Meanwhile, Sey and former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, who has spoken out against allowing trans girls and women to participate in women’s sports, attended a Fever game, sparking further controversy.

Conservative Interest in Women’s Basketball

The right-wing media and political figures have taken an interest in the Fever, particularly in the treatment of player Caitlin Clark, who has been the subject of rough play on the court. Some have speculated that the rough conduct may be racially motivated, and a group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the WNBA commissioner expressing their concerns.

However, the WNBA has a history of promoting LGBTQ+ rights and has welcomed out LGBTQ+ players, including Layshia Clarendon, who became the first out trans and nonbinary person in the WNBA in 2020. The league has also faced criticism for its handling of issues related to transgender athletes, with some arguing that the bans on trans players are discriminatory and lack scientific basis.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.