Security intervention at Chase Center
The opening game of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream at the Chase Center, which resulted in a 68-64 victory for the Valkyries, was marked by a tense verbal confrontation in the stands. The incident involved members of XX-XY Athletics, an organization founded by former gymnast and Levi Strauss executive Jennifer Sey, which advocates against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The presence of the group, which had previously conducted a protest outside a New York Liberty game in August, drew significant attention during the high-stakes matchup.
Footage shared by Sey on social media captures the escalation, showing members of her group being confronted by other attendees. In the video, individuals are seen hurling insults and using explicit gestures, such as middle fingers, toward the group. As the group moved through the arena, they were accompanied by security personnel. The recorded audio features a security representative explaining to the XX-XY members that complaints had been lodged against them. The representative stated, “Their complaint is you guys are antagonizing them… with your shirts pointed in their direction.” The staff instructed both parties to remain separate and avoid further provocation, ultimately allowing the members of the XX-XY group to return to their seats.
Institutional and public response
Following the event, both the WNBA and the Golden State Valkyries declined to provide official comments regarding the altercation. The Chase Center maintains a strict fan code of conduct, which warns that guests who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may face consequences including ejection, season ticket revocation, or potential legal action. The venue assesses such violations on a case-by-case basis. Jennifer Sey characterized the encounter as part of a broader pattern of hostility she faces due to her public stance on gender in sports, noting, “I’m just a lady who gets yelled at everywhere I go. They always hope I die. Because I think men can’t be women.”
The broader context of the discourse
The discourse surrounding transgender athletes in professional sports remains highly polarized in the United States. While no openly transgender woman has ever competed in the WNBA, the topic remains a focal point of national debate. According to a 2025 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA Law, approximately 1% of people aged 13 and over in the U.S. identify as transgender. Legislative activity has mirrored this national tension, with 27 states having passed laws barring transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Campaign reported in 2023 that 19% of transgender youth nationwide were participating in sports, representing fewer than 1,300 individuals in school settings.
As the WNBA Finals continue, the focus on these policy debates is expected to persist. Enes Kanter Freedom, a vocal participant in the discourse surrounding gender in sports, has publicly announced his intention to attend Game 3 of the series in Atlanta. This development suggests that the tensions observed at the Chase Center may continue to influence the atmosphere as the series progresses toward its conclusion.
Reporting source: centraloregondaily.com.