Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve doubled down on her stance supporting transgender athletes on Wednesday, telling critics to educate themselves as demonstrations unfolded outside San Francisco's Chase Center.
Reeve re-addressed the controversial topic ahead of Minnesota's game against the Golden State Valkyries. The press conference took place while a rally in support of protecting women's sports gathered outside the arena.
"I have said this before, trans kids belong," Reeve told reporters 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."
The four-time Women's National Basketball Association champion coach added that the topic was being weaponized across the country. She cautioned "that something is not used just to marginalize a community."
Rallies spread across WNBA arenas
Wednesday night marked the first time that demonstrations took place outside an arena during a WNBA matchup that did not feature guard Sophie Cunningham or her team, the Indiana Fever. Previous rallies sparked by Cunningham's statements had taken place exclusively at Fever home and road games in cities including Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis.
The league-wide culture war erupted after Cunningham publicly advocated for restrictions on transgender women competing in biological female sports categories. Cunningham insisted on "protecting young girls" from "biological men" in sport, drawing both anti-trans-inclusion activists and pro-trans counter-protesters to arenas across the country.
Reeve previously made headlines earlier in August when she wore a shirt reading "Trans Kids Belong" under her blazer on the sidelines at Target Center in Minneapolis during a game against Cunningham's Indiana Fever.
Media reaction and league policy
Reeve's decision to wear the shirt drew sharp criticism from ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, who tore into the Minnesota head coach during a 14-minute monologue on his YouTube talk show. Smith described her sideline statement as irresponsible for a head coach of a female basketball team.
"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," Smith said. "You are Cheryl Reeve. The head coach of the Minnesota Lynx. That is an irresponsible thing to do."
Smith questioned how Reeve could make such a statement without regard for female players, the league, or sponsors. "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?!" Smith said on his show. "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."
Despite the growing public debate and ongoing rallies outside arenas, neither the WNBA nor its executive leadership have implemented a blanket league policy regarding transgender participation. Demonstrations continue to overshadow games across the United States as the season progresses.
