If there’s one thing that Sophie Cunningham will never do, it’s back down in the face of controversy.
The Indiana Fever star, who has become one of the biggest names in the WNBA due to her outgoing and unfiltered personality, has doubled down on her comments regarding transgender athletes.
On Tuesday, ESPN published an interview with the 29-year-old guard in which she shared her opinion about trans athletes in women’s sports.
Cunningham stated that young girls shouldn’t have to compete against biological men.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” she said. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest.
“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
The interview poured fuel on the fire for the debate online, with many of Cunningham’s critics already having dubbed her ‘MAGA Barbie.’
Did Cunningham back down on her stance?
With the interview having gone viral, Cunningham was asked about her comments before Wednesday’s WNBA game between the Fever and the Connecticut Sun — and firmly stood behind her beliefs.
“I said what I said, I think it’s common sense,” she said. “I think 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 stand by what I said and I’ll always believe that.”
She also reaffirmed that she doesn’t “dislike” transgender people and that there should be space for everyone in sports.
“I extend love, I don’t dislike anyone, I think there’s room for absolutely everyone here,” she said. “I think there’s room to love everyone. I truly think when you get people in the same room, you actually have a lot in common with a lot of people … But I’m also there to love biological women, and I think there are rights that need to be protected.”
What does Cunningham think about politics?
While her quotes have been used in the ongoing political debate over trans athletes in women’s sports, Cunningham also stated that she doesn’t fully represent either side.
“I’m very much in the middle,” she said. “I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides.
“And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs.”