💗 WNBA says fans’ trans shirts should not have been censored: ‘Security fell short’

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WNBA says fans’ trans shirts should not have been censored: ‘Security fell short’

By Jack Wetherill
Published: Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:31:53 +0000
Tags: Sport, Trans, Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

Angel Reese of Atlanta and Sophie Cunningham of Indiana during the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream on August 16 (Image: Getty Images)

The WNBA said fans at Sunday night’s Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever game should not have been told by league security to cover shirts carrying messages about transgender participation in women’s sport, including one shirt supporting trans people.

At least three fans were asked by WNBA security members to cover their shirts with trans-related messaging during the game in Atlanta, as per AP.

According to reports, there were two people wearing shirts carrying a message that women’s and girls’ sports should be restricted based on sex, while one wore a shirt in support of trans people.

In a statement issued on Monday, the WNBA said: “The WNBA is aware of interactions at (Sunday) night’s game in Atlanta in which fans were asked by league security to cover their shirts,” adding: “This should not have happened.”

The league also said it informed security workers from the Atlanta game that they should not have asked for the shirt messages to be covered.

The Atlanta Dream also issued a statement, saying the team was not responsible for the security decision.

A Sophie Cunningham supporter at the WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream on August 16 (Getty Images)

“The Atlanta Dream believes in creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Unfortunately, at last night’s game, WNBA security took actions that fell short of that standard,” the team said. “At no point was Dream personnel involved in the decisions made by WNBA security.”

Trans debate and WNBA rules

The incident has landed amid a wider debate about transgender participation in women’s sport. It comes after the WNBA denounced the “bad-faith efforts” from two ex-NBA players who declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft by simply saying they were women.

There has never been a transgender woman player in the WNBA. Currently, the league’s collective bargaining agreement says the WNBA is restricted to women, but contains no more specific language about gender identity or sex.

The league has a prominent LGBTQ+ fanbase and has historically been associated with strong player activism on social issues.

Last month, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham told ESPN that she was opposed to transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports to “protect” them, which led to small protests outside a handful of recent games.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post WNBA says fans’ trans shirts should not have been censored: ‘Security fell short’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.

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Published: Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:31:53 +0000

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