NY Liberty Displays Pro-Transgender Messages During Game as Activists Protest Outside Arena

The New York Liberty broadcast at least three halftime scoreboard messages celebrating transgender fans during Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever, following the team’s decision to refund a $100 custom message one day prior. The Liberty’s scoreboard featured messages including “Big welcome to the NY Liberty transgender fan community! So excited to be here with you all!!” and “Welcome Trans Liberty fans! You are loved and you belong!” The team won 109-102.

A large contingent of transgender activists staged a counter demonstration outside Barclays Center, drawing the season’s ninth rally in support of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. The pro-transgender crowd declined to participate in interviews with Fox News Digital, instead surrounding the news outlet’s reporter with flags and signs while chanting “trans lives matter” repeatedly. According to Fox News Digital, a cameraman filming the interaction had his glasses removed and not returned by protesters.

Lesbian hip-hop artist Julie Potter, who purchased 25 tickets for $2,000 and paid an additional $100 for a custom scoreboard message, had her submission altered by the Liberty before the game. Potter’s original message read “Thank you Jennifer Sey! XX-XY Athletics will Save the Day!!” but the team rewrote it to “Thank you Jennifer Sey, thank you for all you do for XX-XY Athletics.” When Potter objected, the Liberty refunded her $100 fee, citing its policy limiting scoreboard content to “positive, celebratory content.”

Cunningham addressed the competing demonstrations before Saturday’s game, stating that rallies on both sides demonstrate the platform the WNBA provides. “I want Liberty fans and even Indy fans that are going to come here tonight to be able to have this arena be a safe space,” she said. Cunningham characterized the increased attention as beneficial for growing women’s basketball viewership and inspiring younger audiences unfamiliar with the sport.

New York City Police intervened to escort the Fox News Digital reporter away from the protesters, with officers later telling the news outlet the action was taken for safety purposes and to maintain peace. An ambassador representing the pro-transgender protesters told Fox News Digital that participants had agreed beforehand not to conduct media interviews as an act of solidarity. The outlet has requested clarification on why interviews were declined, whether protesters took the cameraman’s glasses, and whether an apology would be offered, but has not received responses.