Seattle Storm center Stefanie Dolson wore a “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” shirt Tuesday, days after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham defended keeping biological males out of women’s sports.
As part of a Seattle Storm promotional campaign sponsored by Alaska Airlines called ‘Arrivals,’ Dolson posed in a pro-trans tank top on Tuesday. Several photos showed her pointing to the word ‘Human’ on the shirt. Several photos posted to the team’s X account showed Dolson pointing to the word “Human” on the shirt.
🗣️🗣️🗣️@AlaskaAir | Arrivals pic.twitter.com/IruaBJsY4J
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2026
This move comes a week after Cunningham said in an ESPN interview that female sports should be protected and biological males should not be allowed in these female-only spaces.
When she was pressed about these comments the following day, Cunningham stood by her remarks, saying her position is “common sense” and won’t change based on others’ positive or negative feedback.
“I think I said what I said,” Cunningham responded. “It’s kind of common sense, and I think I’ll always believe in that. I think it’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category. I stand on what I said and I’m going to always believe that.”
“I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs,” she continued. “I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those and be true to who I am, and I think people are going to take it how they want to take it. … When it comes to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that.”
On Tuesday, Cunningham’s Indiana Fever defeated the Storm 105-95. Outside the arena, several dozen supporters gathered to back Cunningham and advocate for a November ballot initiative barring biological men from competing in girls’ sports at Washington schools.
The Daily Wire previously reported that Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines, and women’s rights advocate J.K. Rowling praised Cunningham’s stance.
Unlike the Storm, which reposted images from Dolson’s photo shoot, the Indiana Fever declined to endorse Cunningham’s remarks. Instead, the team stated, “Our players are thoughtful adults with their own perspectives and voices, and those views are their own. We are committed to welcoming fans from every background and treating everyone with respect, and that’s what guides us as an organization.”
The WNBA has long promoted LGBTQ initiatives, including annual Pride campaigns, partnerships with LGBTQ groups, and Pride-themed merchandise.
“The WNBA is deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a 2022 statement. “WNBA Pride highlights our year-round devotion to supporting members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating the diverse WNBA family and uniting people through the game of basketball.”
Almost half of the league’s players identify as LGBTQ, Outsports reports.
The WNBA currently has no active players who openly identify as transgender. Former Los Angeles Sparks guard Layshia Clarendon was the league’s first player to openly identify as transgender and “non-binary.”
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