Fans of Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham held a rally outside her game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, celebrating her recent public stand in support of women’s sports. The rally featured a crowd of supporters holding signs that read ‘Thank you Sophie’ and her quotes ‘I said what I said’ and ‘with love is truth,’ which originated from her statements on the issue.
Support for Women’s Sports
‘We proved to the world that women can gather publicly and support female athletes,’ activist Jean Chadbourne told Fox News Digital. Fans were also seen taking photos with a life-size cutout of Cunningham.
Footage and photos obtained by Fox News Digital showed multiple counterprotesters with LGBTQ flags and signs at the rally to express opposition. ‘We outnumbered the counterprotesters 10 to 1 and had a very positive vibe. Everyone wanted their picture taken with the giant Sophie poster,’ attendee Romy Mancini told Fox News Digital.
The rally was organized by Washington-based podcast host Brandi Kruse, activist Amy E. Sousa, and the activist group Women Are Real. Organizer Julie Lane told Fox News Digital that she and others who helped organize the event faced threats online for setting it up.
Cunningham sent shockwaves in the ongoing culture war over the WNBA and trans athletes in women’s sports after revealing her stance on the issue to ESPN. ‘I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,” Cunningham said. ‘I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.’
Cunningham doubled down on her statement while speaking to reporters ahead of the Fever’s win against the Connecticut Sun. ‘I think I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,’ she said. ‘I’ll always believe in that. It’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category… I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs. I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those… I extend love, and I don’t dislike anyone. I think there is room for absolutely everyone here.’
Her activism on the issue has garnered praise from activists like Riley Gaines and Jennifer Sey, multiple GOP lawmakers, and even the White House. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke out in support of Cunningham, saying, ‘Men should not be playing in women’s sports. It’s completely ludicrous that anyone could support that,’ Leavitt told reporters.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
