Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve has hit back at critics following growing nationwide debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports.
Reeve previously made a defiant statement on the topic after wearing a ‘Trans Kids Belong’ t-shirt while on the sidelines against Sophie Cunningham‘s Indiana Fever, after the latter insisted on ‘protecting young girls’ from ‘biological men’ in sport.
Reeve re-addressed the topic ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Valkyries, as demonstrations unfolded outside the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Addressing the media, the four-time WNBA champion coach doubled down on her stance and urged critics to gain a deeper understanding of the issue.
‘I have said this before, trans kids belong,’ Reeve said during her pregame press conference.
‘And I think, as we’re seeing sort of politically, in this country, they’ve found a talking point that people are buying into, and the only thing I ask is that people educate themselves further on these issues and what we’re capable of doing together.’
Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve fired back at anti-trans protestors on Wednesday
The league has been engulfed in drama since Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham advocated for ‘protecting young girls’ from ‘biological men’ in sports
Reeve added that the issue was being weaponized, cautioning ‘that something is not used just to marginalize a community.’
The comments mark the latest escalation in a league-wide culture war that erupted after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham publicly advocated for restrictions on transgender women competing in biological female sports categories.
Wednesday night marked the first time that demonstrations took place outside an arena during a matchup that did not feature Cunningham or the Indiana Fever.
Previous rallies sparked by Cunningham’s remarks had taken place exclusively at Fever road and home games, drawing both anti-trans-inclusion activists and pro-trans counter-protesters in cities such as Seattle, Portland and Minneapolis.
Reeve previously made headlines earlier this month when she wore a shirt reading ‘Trans Kids Belong’ under her blazer during a matchup against Cunningham’s Fever at Target Center.
Her actions drew the ire of ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who tore into the Minnesota head coach on his YouTube talk show.
In a 14-minute monologue on the matter, Smith said: ‘She was seen wearing a ‘Trans Kid Belong’ t-shirt. I’m going to repeat that. A ‘Trans Kid Belong’ t-shirt on Sunday during the game following the remarks from Sophie Cunningham.
‘You are Cheryl Reeve. The head coach of the Minnesota Lynx. That is an irresponsible thing to do.
Reeve wore a ‘Trans Kids Belong’ t-shirt on the sidelines against Cunningham’s Indiana Fever
Protests hit a WNBA game that didn’t involve Sophie Cunningham for the first time
‘You are a coach for a female basketball team. Do you not think that the females are being screwed over if they have to compete against an individual born as a male? What are you talking about?!
‘You trying to tell me that a college player, for the men’s, should transition to a woman and be allowed to play in the WNBA or on a collegiate level to a women’s college program? What the hell are you talking about!
‘Nobody said you can’t transition from male to female. The issue here is competing against the women! That’s what Sophie Cunningham is talking about.
‘How are you, Cheryl Reeve, coming out in that t-shirt. No regard for the WNBA. No regard for the sponsors that may be put off by that. How is that okay?!
While neither the WNBA nor executive leadership have implemented a blanket league policy, the demonstrations continue to overshadow games across the country.
