Stewart Calls for Safe Space as Transgender Debate Sparks Rallies at Fever-Liberty Game
New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart called for Barclays Center to serve as a safe space for fans as two peaceful rallies — one supporting transgender inclusion in women’s sports and one opposing it — converged outside the arena before Saturday night’s game against the Indiana Fever. The Liberty went on to win 109-102 in front of a sellout crowd of 17,581, but the evening underscored how deeply the transgender debate has permeated the WNBA’s landmark 30th anniversary season.
“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 told reporters Saturday morning, according to AP News. “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.”
The Origin of the Controversy
The controversy traces back to July 21, when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN in a lengthy profile that she wants to “protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.” The comments ignited a firestorm that has followed the Fever on the road ever since, with rallies held outside games in Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago, and now New York.
Cunningham has said she is not concerned about the attention becoming a distraction. “I think it’s cool people are using their freedom of speech, but I’m where my two feet are,” she said before Saturday’s game, as reported by HITC. She added that the increased attention has been positive by bringing more fans to games.
The League’s Response
The WNBA has found itself navigating a politically charged issue with no clear precedent. There has never been a transgender woman on a WNBA roster, and the league’s collective bargaining agreement states only that “players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,” without more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth.
In August, the league’s anti-hate task force — which includes Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, team presidents, and general managers — met virtually to address the growing controversy. The league subsequently released a statement saying there are “no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA” and strongly denouncing “bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others,” as AP News reported.
Engelbert had earlier sent a memo to team leadership emphasizing that the league would approach the topic “thoughtfully, respectfully, and in alignment with the long-standing values of our league,” according to The Athletic. She noted that the league’s player eligibility rules are collectively bargained, unlike those of some other leagues and governing bodies.
The WNBPA also released a statement denouncing “hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people,” while affirming that the union “will not be used as political pawns.”
Saturday’s Scene at Barclays Center
Outside Barclays Center, small groups representing both sides of the debate gathered peacefully, with a heavier-than-usual police presence for a Liberty game. Inside, the atmosphere was electric — a mix of red Fever jerseys and Liberty blue filling the arena, with Cunningham met by a mixture of boos and cheers when she entered the game.
On the court, the game lived up to its playoff implications. Stewart scored 22 points, Leonie Fiebich added 20 in her first game since July 3, and Jonquel Jones contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds for New York, according to AP News. Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana with 25 points, while Aliyah Boston added 22 and Caitlin Clark finished with 21.
“We know this team has been through a lot,” Stewart said after the game, per The Athletic. “But we have a lot of fight left in us. There were playoff implications for this game. But we just want to continue to make it feel good and be firing on all cylinders defensively and have that impact our offense.”
A League Caught in the Culture War
The WNBA’s explosive growth in popularity has made it a cultural flashpoint. The league has seen record attendance and viewership, but also increased scrutiny and political polarization. The transgender debate has become the latest battleground, with figures from across the political spectrum weighing in.
Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News in early August that he would encourage Cunningham to “keep speaking her mind.” Two former NBA players — Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft, saying they identify as women, though the draft isn’t until April 2027.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has been a vocal advocate for transgender inclusion, saying “We need to protect trans kids. To me, it’s a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.” Seattle Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton was suspended for five games for confronting two fans who held signs supporting Cunningham.
Stewart’s Longstanding Allyship
Stewart’s call for a safe space is consistent with her history as an ally to the transgender community. She has donated royalties from a Harry Potter-themed signature shoe to The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth.
“If we don’t allow (free speech), we need to like really kind of go back and look at more things,” Stewart said. “I think the bigger thing is people are trying to divide us as teams, but also as teammates or as opponents. This league is incredibly inclusive and what we continue to fight for and stand up against. So, we don’t want to take that platform away.”
What’s Next
The WNBA’s anti-hate task force continues to hold discussions on transgender participation, with Engelbert pledging additional listening sessions for team leaders. The league has also had to address incidents at games, including fans being asked to cover shirts with transgender-related messaging at a game in Atlanta — a decision the league later said should not have happened.
As the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach, the Fever and Liberty are both positioned for postseason runs. But the debate that has followed Cunningham from city to city shows no signs of abating. For Stewart, the priority remains clear: keeping the arena — and the league — a place where everyone feels they belong.
“Liberty fans specifically, but WNBA fans in general, come to games because they can feel like they can be themselves in whatever capacity that is,” Stewart said. “And we don’t want to lose sight of that.”