Mother And Daughter Say They Were Told To Cover Up XX-XY Shirts At WNBA Game

Kasey and Annie Thomason display shirts the State Farm Arena security guard deemed offensive Image by Caleb ParkeFacebook A Georgia mother and her teenage daughter say they were told by security to cover up shirts supporting biological distinctions in women’s sports or face ejection from an Atlanta Dream game Sunday night. Kasey Thomason and her 17-year-old daughter, Annie, attended the Indiana Fever’s 95-91 overtime victory over the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on August 16. The pair said they wore XX-XY Athletics shirts in support of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham and her position in the ongoing debate over “transgender” participation in women’s sports. Cunningham has publicly expressed her views on the issue, saying she wants to protect women and girls in sports. Her comments have drawn both support and criticism, with rallies and protests at some games she has played in. According to Thomason, the two had been wearing the shirts throughout most of the game without incident. During overtime, however, a security guard approached them and told them their shirts were considered offensive. The mother and daughter said they were given a choice: put on Atlanta Dream “Wellness & Health Night” shirts provided by arena personnel or leave the building. “We were made to cover up our XX-XY shirts at this game,” Thomason said after the game, per the New York Post. Mother And Daughter Say They Were Targeted Thomason said she and her daughter were sitting near the court when a security guard asked them to step away from their seats. She asked whether the interaction was about their shirts. According to Thomason, the guard said other fans had been offended by the shirts. The mother questioned why the shirts were considered offensive and ultimately agreed to put on the Dream shirts so the two could remain in the arena for the conclusion of the game. Video from the broadcast appeared to show the pair holding the replacement shirts during overtime before putting them on with roughly 90 seconds remaining. Thomason said the mother and daughter had paid about $1,000 each for their tickets and attended the game specifically to support Cunningham and women’s sports. “We did nothing,” Thomason said, per NY Post. “We were just sitting there.” The family also said they believed a fan wearing a “Protect Trans Rights” shirt may have alerted security after that fan was featured on the arena video board earlier in the game. The Thomasons said they did not know whether that fan was subjected to the same restrictions. Arena Policies Cite Offensive Clothing The information provided by the Thomasons says State Farm Arena’s prohibited-items policy bars clothing or signs displaying explicit language, profanity, or derogatory characterizations toward people. The NBA Fan Code of Conduct similarly states that obscene or indecent messages on signs or clothing are not permitted. The Thomasons said the security guard did not specifically identify profanity, obscenity, or a derogatory message on their shirts, instead telling them the shirts were “offensive.” WNBA Debate Has Intensified The WNBA is continuing to examine its approach to “transgender” athlete participation as the debate surrounding eligibility grows. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said a task force of team presidents and general managers would discuss the issue, while emphasizing that the league’s eligibility rules are collectively bargained, The Dallas Express reported. She also said preserving the integrity of the game and ensuring fair competition remain among the WNBA’s highest priorities. The discussions do not represent an immediate change to the league’s eligibility policy. Instead, the task force is expected to consider questions surrounding the existing rules and the competing concerns over inclusion and competitive fairness. The league has not announced what, if any, policy changes could result from the discussions. Similar Incident Involving XX-XY Shirts The Atlanta incident follows a controversy last month in Seattle involving two 16-year-old girls who were wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts and holding signs supporting Cunningham. During the Indiana Fever game against Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 28, the girls said they were approached by Seattle Storm minority co-owner Celeste Keaton, who berated them over their support for Cunningham. One of the girls’ signs thanked Cunningham for “speaking up for girls.” According to accounts provided to journalist Brandi Kruse, Keaton called the girls “f—ing insane” and told them she hoped Jesus would forgive them for their “sin.” One of the teenagers was left in tears following the confrontation. The incident prompted an apology from Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder, who said everyone attending a Storm game should feel welcome and be treated with respect. The WNBA subsequently suspended Keaton from attending five Storm home games and fined her an undisclosed amount. Cunningham also defended the teenagers, saying people can disagree while still treating one another with kindness. The latest confrontation in Atlanta adds to a growing debate over how teams and arenas should handle politically and socially contentious messages displayed by fans. For the Thomasons, however, the issue was whether they should have been allowed to remain in their seats wearing the shirts they had purchased and chosen to wear. “I can’t believe that just happened in Atlanta, Georgia,” Thomason said.