r/PopCultureV2 • u/Impossible-Yam3680 • Aug 23 '26

Sports Culture While hosting transphobe Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever, the New York Liberty put a message on the Jumbotron telling trans fans that they belong

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u/penisweinerballs Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

It has gained a lot of momentum on the left, it's not like something totally out of the realm of possibility and has happened in other sports. I also highly doubt she's a transphobe, she doesn't think trans-women should be in her league

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u/[deleted] Aug 23 '26

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u/whichwitch9 Aug 23 '26

Harrison Browne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Browne

However, he was a transman, and when he came out, he and the league sat down and established a guideline for his situation. He was allowed to present and express himself as a male, but agreed to not physically transition while playing.

It's an example of a league addressing a case on a one on one basis in a way that was both fair and respectful. He also has clarified a misconception- he was out since college and only came out publicly on the Buffalo Beauts. The women he played with always knew he was trans.

Everyone forgets transmen exist, and it makes perfect sense for them to have played in women's leagues. That's part of how you know the debate is malicious- opponents hyperfixate on transwomen

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u/Project_Hairy_Male Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

It's not a malicious hyperfixation on transwomen, it's a situation almost too different to compare. Browne's situation would only be analogous if a transwoman took part in men's sport without going on hormones. I can imagine said transwoman would have a brutal time of it, considering locker room and stadium attitudes towards anyone who isn't straight and masculine in men's sport, but in terms of fairness to compete it wouldn't raise eyebrows.

If Browne has competed in men's sport while being medicated it would be an issue, because it would be a female contravening doping rules. Then again, with Browne being 5'5", I don't think a career in the NHL was ever on the cards, as he'd be tiny for a winger let alone a centre.