What began with Sophie Cunningham’s ESPN interview has now grown into a much bigger national conversation. Sports analysts have weighed in, athletes have made their positions known, and politicians have also entered the debate. With so many different voices coming from so many different corners, one question naturally follows: what does the average citizen of the country actually think about the issue?
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Fox News attempted to get an answer to that question by speaking with several people and asking them where they stood on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. The responses showed just how differently the people view an issue that has quickly become one of the WNBA’s biggest off-court debates.
One of the first people interviewed had little sympathy for the idea. Calling it “crazy,” the respondent argued that biological differences give men a physical advantage over women.
“I don’t think you really makes sense because a man is more physically stronger, automatically stronger than a woman. I think that is crazy. I think that a lot of people just say that they women just to go compete against women… It’s just getting outrageous,” the person said.
That position closely echoed Cunningham’s own argument, which started the debate in the first place. But the next response showed that there was certainly no universal agreement.
The second interviewee took the opposite view, arguing that transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.
“I think transgender woman should be able to play in women’s sport… they might’ve been a man before but they’re changing into a woman, so why not play a woman sport,” the respondent said.
That perspective has also been shared by WNBA players. Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams previously said she would welcome a transgender player on her team or as an opponent. Williams framed inclusion as one way of responding with greater kindness to the discrimination faced by transgender people.
Then came another response that appeared to look for some kind of middle ground.
“You choose to live… I don’t see a problem with… vice versa… If they’re gonna go that route then women should be allowed to play with men,” another interviewee said.
A different respondent offered an even simpler approach to the debate.
“I haven’t really thought about it. Let people be people. Let them do what they want to do, it’s not hurting anybody.”
Of course, a handful of street interviews cannot tell us which side represents the majority of Americans. What they do show is that, much like the debate among athletes, politicians and people within the WNBA, there is no single view on the issue.
The WNBA itself has, however, now been forced to address the growing conversation. Its anti-hate task force recently discussed transgender athlete participation, but the outcome of the meeting lacked any concrete resolution. The league said there are currently no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and indicated that discussions with stakeholders will continue in the weeks and months ahead.