Fans of Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham held a rally outside of her game against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday.
The rally celebrated Cunningham recently taking a public stand in support of women’s sports. Footage and photos show a crowd of supporters holding signs that read “Thank you Sophie,” and her now-famous quotes “I said what I said,” and “with love is truth,” which originate from her statements sharing her stance on the issue.
“We proved to the world that women can gather publicly and support female athletes,” activist Jean Chadbourne told Fox News Digital.
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Fans were also seen taking photos with a life-size cutout of Cunningham.
Footage and photos obtained by Fox News Digital also showed multiple counterprotesters with LGBTQ flags and signs at the rally to express opposition.
“We outnumbered the TRAs 10 to 1 and a very positive vibe. Everyone wanted their picture taken with the giant Sophie poster,” attendee Romy Mancini told Fox News Digital.
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The rally was organized by Washington-based podcast host Brandi Kruse, activist Amy E. Sousa and the activist group Women Are Real. The rally became the subject of contentious social media debate after its announcement days earlier.
Organizer Julie Lane told Fox News Digital that she and others who helped organize the event faced threats online for setting it up.
“Despite the online threats we showed up and had a great time. It’s clear that the tide is turning. People are slowly coming around. I think Sophie really helped pushed this issue,” Lane told Fox News Digital.
Cunningham sent shockwaves in the ongoing culture war over the WNBA and trans athletes in women’s sports last Tuesday after revealing her stance on the issue to ESPN.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham said.
“I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Cunningham doubled down on her statement while speaking to reporters last Wednesday ahead of the Fever’s win against the Connecticut Sun.
“I think I said what I said. I think it’s kind of common sense,” she said.
“I’ll always believe in that. It’s really important to protect children, and that’s little girls who are also involved in that category… I’m not a very political person, but I do have beliefs. I have morals, and I’ll always stand on those… I extend love, and I don’t dislike anyone. I think there is room for absolutely everyone here.”
Her activism on the issue has garnered praise from activists like Riley Gaines and Jennifer Sey, multiple GOP lawmakers and even the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke out in support of Cunningham last during a briefing.
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“Men should not be playing in women’s sports. It’s completely ludicrous that anyone could support that,” Leavitt told reporters.
“It’s even more ludicrous that you do have Sophie Cunningham, a female athlete herself, very accomplished in her own right, coming forth and speaking that truth that men should(n’t) play in women’s sports. The backlash she is receiving from Democrats and left-wing figures across the country is astonishing. They are clearly very out of touch with the American public on this issue, which again, is an 80/20 issue. It’s common sense.”
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