WNBA Says Security Was Wrong To Make Fans Cover Transgender Message Shirts

At least three fans were reportedly asked by WNBA security to cover shirts displaying messages about transgender women, raising fresh questions about how the league is handling political and social expression inside its arenas.

During the Aug. 16 contest between the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever, women were reportedly asked to cover them. However, in a statement, the WNBA indicated that the fans should not have been asked to cover their shirts, according to ESPN via the Associated Press.

The league is aware of the situation and also indicated that "This should not have happened," per ESPN via the Associated Press. Two people wore shirts with a message that women's and girls' sports should be restricted to those assigned female at birth, while one person was wearing a shirt in support of transgender people.

Recently, the league has been subjected to debates about transgender athletes participating in women's sports after Indiana Fever forward Sophie Cunningham's comments this season.

Last month, Cunningham commented during an ESPN interview in which she spoke about "protecting" women's sports and that women should not have to compete with biological men.

Since Cunningham's comments, debates have sparked nationwide. Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wore a shirt to support transgender athletes while she spoke to Cunningham before their teams faced each other, and two former NBA players claimed they identified as women.

This month, a WNBA task force met to discuss transgender athletes amid an ongoing debate over league policy or lack thereof. Last month, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham commented during an ESPN interview in which she spoke about "protecting" women's sports and that women should not have to compete with biological men.

ESPN's Katie Barnes reported on Aug. 12 that the WNBA task force met and discussed transgender athletes.

When the Seattle Storm and Fever played, Cunningham was later asked about her stance after a riot outside the game took place; she doubled down and said it's "common sense."

The league released a statement on Aug. 12 explaining what was covered during the meeting. The task force covered topics around transgender athletes and online hate directed toward players.

Currently, the WNBA doesn't have a policy regarding transgender or intersex athletes. This offseason, the league signed an historic collective bargaining agreement that only covers women in the WNBA.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has been criticized of late, has been on top of recent updates on transgender issues. No transgender women are playing in the league.

As the league continues to grow, there has been an increase in fans, critics, scepticism, and hate. Recently, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women.