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Sophie Cunningham. © Imagn
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has sparked intense debates following comments she made in mid-July about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. During an interview with ESPN, Cunningham said that she believes transgender athletes should not be allowed to play in women’s sports as it is unfair. She then explained that she said this to protect women in sports from unjust competition. Backlash soon followed. In her recent games, the 29-year-old has been booed and heckled by spectators. However, on August 2, former world champion trans athlete Kirsti Miller spoke out in support of Cunningham on her X account. Miller wrote that it is unfair for a man to compete in the WNBA because of the advantage in their physical abilities.
“As a trans athlete and a former world champion male athlete and a published researcher in how hormone therapy in trans people effects their physical performance I say it is not fair for a man to compete in the WNBA. Men on average are stronger, faster and they have greater endurance abilities than women due to the relative % of muscle vs fat, and to power that extra muscle they have more oxygenating cells (haemoglobin) in the blood… ALL of which are controlled by hormone levels. They are not set at puberty,” Miller wrote.
Miller’s comments added another perspective to the debate, as they came from a former trans athlete. Meanwhile, Cunningham has been doubling down on her comments in recent interviews. This has caused further backlash, including one most recently during the Fever’s game against the Minnesota Lynx, where Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve joined in the movement.
Kirsti Miller explained how a trans athlete could compete fairly in the WNBA
Later in her statement on X, Kirsti Miller detailed how a trans woman can play in the WNBA fairly. Miller explained that a trans woman would have to undergo hormone replacement therapy, which drastically changes their bodies and abilities. Miller shared that the therapy affects “strength, speed and endurance levels” in trans athletes.
“It is fair for a trans woman to compete in the WNBA on a case by case basis for a trans woman who is on hormone replacement therapy. The hormone therapy changes their bodies and reduces their strength, speed and endurance levels to female norms. Trans women who compete are on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) — typically estrogen plus medications to lower testosterone,” Miller said.
“This therapy leads to measurable changes in body composition and function,” Miller continued.
Miller was once a national sports star in Australia, best known for being a trailblazing trans athlete in fencing, freestyle swimming, and other sports.
Also Read:
Cheryl Reeve Gets Candid About ‘Educating’ Sophie Cunningham On Their ‘Issues’ During Viral Court Conversation
“Violence Has No Place at Sporting Events”: Fans React as Sophie Cunningham Fan Gets Assaulted by Protester for Trans Rights
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