WNBA Task Force Speaks Out Against Transgender Debate, Says League Has No Eligibility Issues

A WNBA anti-hate task force met online on Wednesday and pushed back against people trying to start a debate about transgender women playing in the league. The group said there are no current problems with player eligibility in the WNBA. The task force strongly criticized what it called 'bad-faith efforts' to use the topic to hurt or dismiss others. The meeting came after two former NBA players made headlines by claiming they were eligible for the WNBA draft.

The WNBA's rules say that only women can play in the league, but the rules do not give a more detailed definition of what 'women' means. Last Friday, two former NBA players — Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White — said they identify as women and declared themselves eligible for the WNBA draft. However, the next WNBA draft is not until April, and neither player has been selected or signed by any team. A WNBA spokesperson made clear that no eligibility issues currently exist in the league.

There has never been a transgender woman on a WNBA roster. A transgender woman is a person who was assigned male at birth but whose gender identity is female. There have been players in the league who were assigned female at birth and later came out as transgender or nonbinary. The WNBA's anti-hate task force was created last year to address mean and harmful comments directed at players and the league online.

The task force said Wednesday's meeting covered many topics, including ongoing talks about transgender athletes and the online hate that players face. The group said it will keep talking with everyone connected to the league in the weeks and months ahead. The statement promised that the league would handle these conversations carefully and in line with its values.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert sent a memo to team presidents and general managers last Friday about the topic. She said the league sees this as a 'complex and nuanced' subject that needs thoughtful discussion. Engelbert said the league plans to hold listening sessions for team leaders who want to share their views. She added that hearing from people connected to the league is very important to her.

Not everyone in the WNBA agrees on this issue. Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham said in an ESPN article last month that she supports keeping transgender girls and women out of girls' and women's sports. Her comments led to small protests in Seattle and Portland when her team traveled there last week. Many other players have chosen not to speak publicly about the subject.

Some WNBA players and coaches have spoken up in support of transgender athletes. Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson and Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve are among those who have voiced support. Coach Reeve spoke out on August 1, saying it is important to protect transgender kids. She said: 'We need to protect trans kids. To me, it's a human rights issue. Every kid has a right to sports.'