Full disclosure: before that viral finger point, I’d never heard of Indiana Fever shooting guard and small forward Sophie Cunningham. Or any other WNBA player, for that matter, as I didn’t follow women’s professional basketball. Once Sophie had my attention, however, it was difficult to look away. I found myself drawn in by her outsized personality, obvious love of the game, and willingness to put her body on the line in defense of her teammates.
What truly hooked me, though, is what hooked so many of us who share the common goal of restoring the integrity of the female category in sports, which has been decimated by gender identity ideology. Not only did Sophie “weigh in on how to protect women’s sports” in an ESPN profile, saying that she “want[s] to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men,” she doubled down on it when questioned: “I said what I said. I think it’s common sense and I’ll always believe in that. […] When it comes to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that.” YES to straight talk from a brave and influential woman!
As so many women fighting this scourge have acknowledged, this was the moment we’ve been waiting for. The movement to save women’s sports needed a currently active professional female athlete to take a strong public stance on the issue, and we finally had one in Sophie Cunningham. The excitement, gratitude and joy her courageous actions inspired cannot be overestimated.
I doubt Jean, the founder of Women Are Real, had any clue that her idea to hold a “Thank you, Sophie” rally outside the Indiana Fever v. Seattle Storm game on July 28 would blow up into the cultural phenomenon that it has — largely thanks to the mad organizational skills and dedication of Amy Sousa (Known Heretic) and Jennifer Sey (XX-XY Athletics), as well as the courage of all the women who have shown up with them — but here we are!
Watching subsequent events unfold in Portland (surprisingly calm, considering) and then Minneapolis (which drew a small though LOUD number of anti-woman activists), and understanding how important it was to keep the momentum the events were building going, I committed to attend the next rally in Chicago on August 8th with my WDI USA colleague and friend, Brianna. I’m so glad I did!
Having experienced the rabid aggression of Chicago-area anti-woman activists on multiple occasions in the past, I admittedly had concerns for the safety of rally attendees. Thankfully, those fears were unwarranted. Whether it was good on-the-ground management by the combined efforts of Chicago PD, United Center security and the private security arranged for by organizers, or something else entirely, the event remained peaceful.
Sure, there were anti-woman protesters present, though our politically diverse coalition of pro-women and girls activists far outnumbered them. For the most part, our opposition stayed on their side of the erected metal barricades, and quite frankly, appeared rather pathetic and unwell. The worst thing they did was play loud music, though fortunately, at a relatively tolerable decibel level; not loud enough to drown out our voices — or dampen our spirits.
Which I’m pleased to say remained joyful, lighthearted and celebratory throughout the event. And why not? In case you haven’t noticed, we’re winning!
For years, polls have shown that around 80 percent of all American voters — including clear majorities in both parties and all demographic groups — believe boys and men have no place in girls’ and women’s sports. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a return to common sense. Now is the time to make that so clear the media can no longer ignore it.
Upcoming events include Indianapolis (Aug 14), Atlanta (Aug 16), Dallas (Aug 20), New York (Aug 22), and Chicago (Aug 23); and may well extend into September if there is ongoing interest. The full Fever schedule is here.
If you’re near one of them, get yourself there and show some support!
Reach out to [email protected] to connect with other signatories to the Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights who may be attending an event in your area.
Kerri Bruss
WDI USA Country Contact and WI State Contact
