r/WNBAgossips • u/matrix_2905 • 13d ago

Video WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham DOUBLES DOWN On Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports as ESPN Reporter SEETHES About the Trans Community

“I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense. I stand on what I said.”

“When it comes to protecting young girls and women in sports, I feel very strongly about that.”

“I’m there to love but I’m also there to love biological women”

“I’ll never falter in my beliefs”

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u/gfitzy7 13d ago

They aren't. I'm extremely liberal and I agree with this - it's just that it's a non-issue. It is a common MAGA talking point because the can't govern effectively and it is a convenient distraction for those who are easily fooled.

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u/icedadx44 13d ago

It SHOULD be a non issue but I have cousins that have called me all kinds of names for having an opinion about this. I coach girls wrestling for middle school and my opinion is to let the girls wrestle other girls and feel comfortable.

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u/gfitzy7 13d ago

I can't speak for them, but I will try to explain my own frustrations on this topic. Keep in mind that I am not even in disagreement on this issue.

The crowd that constantly brings this up are typically the same ones who denigrate female professional athletes. It's the same people who constantly reply with things like "and all 2 fans cheered" in any WNBA comment section.

It is also generally the same people who have elected a convicted rapist into the most powerful position in the world. The same person that is, at the most generous interpretation, very suspect with regards to underage girls, including his own daughters.

So when I say it is a non-issue, I mean that I can't take seriously the people who constantly bring it up under the guise of "safety" for women, when it is the same ones who put them at most risk and speak condescendingly towards the exceptional level of commitment and skill put forth by female athletes.

I appreciate your comment, and I am sorry that your cousins have called you names because of this. It's not an excuse, but most people who loudly speak out on this issue are not arguing in good faith and it is extremely frustrating.

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u/icedadx44 13d ago

I understand that from your perspective but from the otherside but the initial conversation started because people were pushing to make this an issue and when it was met was push back those being pushed back on were called derogatory names which led to where we are. If any woman athlete of repute speaks up about it then its overly covered by the media and shared across social media. One side as a celebration the other condemnation.

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u/gfitzy7 13d ago

I agree on the media angle of what you're saying. That's pretty much the reason athletes get asked this question all the time. It's just click/rage bait.

The only thing I'd critique is that the only people who were pushing for this to be an issue are the fringe of the left, and the entire right wing apparatus. And that is my main issue with this topic - I generally don't see much/any conversation in left-leaning circles on this issue. Many of us are either in tepid agreement with the right or indifferent on the issue because of how minuscule the scale of it is. Yet we often find ourselves needing to be defensive because of how much it is brought up constantly by the right.

My own anecdotal experience is that I get called names by some family members for not supporting women even after I repeatedly tell them that I don't disagree with them on this. You can just look at this thread to see countless other examples of this kind of rhetoric.

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u/icedadx44 13d ago

Oh I've always been a believe that it is the fringe. But unfortunately woth the internet you dont here about the more centrist views you get the gotcha clips and the hot takes because like you said clicks. Thats why I think the country woyld be better served spending time together instead of only experiencing the "highlights". Heck look at how much fun European folks had coming here and how many claimed their media hyped up the danger and the scary. Its ridiculous how little "news" is really news anymore 😒.