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Or sign-in if you have an account.Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever arrives at Michelob ULTRA Arena for a game against the Las Vegas Aces. Getty ImagesSee more Toronto Sun on Google —Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Edmonton Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Edmonton Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe hot button issue of transgender athletes in sports continues to make headlines.The Seattle Storm, a WNBA team, had to apologize Wednesday for a co-owner confronting two fans of the Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans-in-sports stance, reports ESPN.com.It all began during a demonstration outside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle where the Storm suffered a 105-95 home loss to the Fever after a few dozen gathered to support Cunningham’s stance barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published last week.The protest was also to promote a statewide ballot initiative that would prevent transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington schools.While the Storm didn’t offer details about the incident or say which Storm co-owner was involved, Brandi Kruse. of unDividedPod.com, reported it was co-owner Celeste Keaton.Kruse had an interview with the two fans, who were at the protest and sat courtside for the game while wearing T-shirts depicting the XX and XY chromosomes, who claimed Keaton swore at them for a sign that thanked Cunningham “for speaking up for girls.” These two fans told Brandi Kruse of unDividedPod.com that Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton berated them for supporting Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham’s anti-trans-in-sports stance. (BrandiKruse/X) Photo by Brandi Kruse/x“We are aware one of our co-owners made comments to two fans in attendance at last night’s game. We apologize that this happened,” Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder said in a statement released Wednesday.“Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.”Fox 13 Seattle’s Lauren Helmbrecht said the WNBA had since fined Keaton and suspended her from attending the Storm’s next five home games following the fan confrontation, according to the New York Post.A day later Cunningham, who was not made available post-game, went on X to denounce Keaton’s actions.“I truly believe there is a safe space and love for EVERYBODY,” she wrote on X. “Biological girls, biological boys, trans women, and trans men. Everyone is welcome at my table! You can disagree and still be kind. Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe. You’ll be hearing from me soon … yay for gifts. Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is.” Sophie Cunningham doubles down on trans athletes stance: 'Protect children' Genetic sex testing required to compete in Women's Tennis Association Transgender athletes banned from competing in women’s sports at Olympics Fans allege Storm co-owner called them ‘insane’The two fans alleged to Kruse that Keaton told them, “I hope Jesus can forgive you for what sin you’ve done,” before calling them “f—ing insane” while pointing at her head and adding, “God can save you,” leaving one of the fans in tears, according to the New York Post.“I’ve never been yelled at like that,” one of the girls told Kruse. “I’ve had people hate on me on the internet, but it doesn’t really affect me as much, because it’s people online. But that just caught me by surprise because I thought she was going to be nice, and she started screaming at us, and cussing at us.”The girls also said they felt unwelcome during the game.“The whole time we were kind of on edge,” one of them said. “I was like, should we put our sign down? I don’t know. The lady sitting right across from us, and the two people sitting beside us, were turning their backs and trying to sit as far away from us.”Post-game when Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s recent comments, a public relations rep intervened with the following statement: “Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers. Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.” Seattle Storm player Stefanie Dolson wore a top that said, ‘trans rights are human rights” before playing the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night. (seattlestorm/bigmamastef/Instagram) Photo by bigmamastef/seattlestorm/InstagramSeattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson also wore a “trans rights” t-shirt prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Indiana Fever which read: “Trans rights are human rights.”Dolson came out publicly in 2016 as a member of the LGBTQ community, Join the Conversation Celebrity Columnists Opinion Letters Columnists This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.