37 Comments
User's avatar
Ethan Cusick's avatar

“Apparently, however, this excludes trans people and allies who don’t want to be subjected to dehumanizing rhetoric on the court.” Exactly! That’s some twisted logic to think that inclusive means supporting the paid anti-trans bigots, not confronting them on behalf of the trans fans in attendance. You know…the ones who are actually members of the minority group!

Gwen she/her's avatar

They were trying to provoke this reaction.

catsongs's avatar

Hence the subtitle description of them as "provocateurs".

E-Dub's avatar

There is very much an element of “don’t give them what they want” here. Ignore them. If you must engage, ridicule generally beats anger as a response.

Gwen she/her's avatar

It would be nice to have some obviously transgender people sit next to them…

E-Dub's avatar

Good example. That would be more effective.

Gwen she/her's avatar

I’ll volunteer in Vegas this fall and winter 🙋‍♀️

Ruxine's avatar

Including bigots excludes the targets of bigotry.

KaleidoFreq's avatar

This is exactly why my wife and I stopped attending the Mercury games last summer as the crowd and overall vibe has shifted.

Pood's avatar

Sorry to hear that friend

Shawn K. Younkin's avatar

"Wilson told a far-right podcaster after the game that they “weren’t trying to be political.” Lying fucking bigot.

Lisa Flynn (she/her)'s avatar

Silence anyone supporting trans people and support the bigots and haters. This is just disgusting. The queer community should raise unholy hell over this.

Terra M.'s avatar

No. No more. Not everyone deserves to be welcome anywhere they bring the signage and merchandise of a hate group. Stop making space for bigots and deceivers.

catsongs's avatar

Right? Imagine the tolerance level for a couple of imbeciles w/swastika t-shirts. My hope is that it would have turned out differently.

p2q's avatar

Love that someone who physically attacked another player is touting a cause allegedly meant to protect women... tend your own fucking garden.

Also, this: 'We apologize that this happened. Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome, and we remain committed to creating an inclusive environment where every fan is treated with respect.' is spineless, status quo adoring liberal bullshit

Tessa Grace's avatar

Once again the “anti-trans” lunatic fringe gets pampered and the rest of us have to deal with the hellscape they create. I will never watch another WNBA game. Watching them shooting themselves in the foot with the LGBTQ community….. priceless.

Mike Gelt's avatar

These anti-trans people need to be confronted, but in an intelligent way, not with violence which at times is difficult to avoid. But the WMBA has supported the trans community and maybe should have just asked the anti-trans group to leave

p2q's avatar

what violence occurred? It sounds like Keaton just argued with them and told them they suck.

Mike Gelt's avatar

Violence comes in many forms not only physical

Karleigh Webb's avatar

The league has supported the trans community? You sure about that?

Why hasn't either the Storm or the NWSL's Seattle Reign publicly opposed Ballot Measure 628

Joan the Dork's avatar

The bigots should have been ejected from the damn stadium for their deliberately provocative behavior, and instead they got a cookie for it. The WNBA would do well to remember that playing chicken with the Tolerance Paradox only ends one way. Allow bigots to perform bigot stunts at your games, punish anyone who calls them out for what they are... keep that up, and sooner or later the only people coming to your games will be bigots.

Kelly O’Brien's avatar

You tell ‘em, Joan! And, good on Celeste Keaton for telling them to “piss off!” The WNBA is as scared as any other business to offend the Clown.

SunflowerP's avatar

Yeah, I was thinking about the Tolerance Paradox, too - especially that it's only a paradox when people mistake it for the goal, when really it's just a peace treaty, necessary but not sufficient.

Aria's avatar

Sophie we all think you're a piece of shit. As for Analeigh or whatever her name is, anyone who boils down our chromosomes into just two pairs missed the irony of biology in middle school. We are fundamentally far weirder than that and there are infinitely more combinations. So many that gender is a spectrum.

Peter Stanley Zeftel's avatar

Thank you for posting this and all your writing. I am not a sports fan so did not know about this. Keep up the good work and standing up for decency

GenderISbullshit's avatar

These kids are being paid to be bigots. This is utterly disgusting and the coach has every right to lay into this BS. Don’t show up wearing hate filled shirts and people won’t give you shit. It’s that simple transphobes. Oh… and maybe deal with the hate for more than 5 seconds…. Because we deal with your nonsense on the daily. We aren’t going anywhere.

Jane Valerie's avatar

Shame on the WNBA for folding to and apologizing to paid transphobic agitators.

Spot the Wonder Dog's avatar

Sounds like I need to order a Seattle Storm shirt! My first-ever garment supporting an athletic team.

catsongs's avatar

Goddess, please let this be another manifestation of the Extinction Burst because I. HAVE. FECKING. HAD. IT. WITH. THESE. "PEOPLE".

RADial's avatar

They advertised "Let's Go Washington," millionaire Brian Heywood's org that managed to get two anti-trans measures on the ballot this November (plus an attempt to repeal the new state tax on millionaires); yet it wasn't political? Does the WNBA have some kind of rule about political campaigning at events? Perhaps they ought to?

Dr.Sue's avatar

So sorry for all of this uncalled for hatred😞😞😞😞

Shervyn Von Hoerl's avatar

The WNBA and the owner of the Storm are bigoted assholes. But we know the WNBA is shit. Look how they promote Clark over Angel Reese. They’re happy to exploit their black players. But when push comes to shove, white supremacy and patriarchy all the way.