TORONTO — The boos rained down on Sophie Cunningham every time she touched the ball Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena, but the Indiana Fever guard wasn't alone in the storm. A vocal group of supporters, led by Canadian powerlifting champion April Hutchinson, gathered outside the arena to show their backing for the WNBA star.
Hutchinson, a three-time Team Canada member, was spotted wearing an XX-XY Athletics T-shirt alongside other fans in a pro-Cunningham rally before the Fever's matchup with the Toronto Tempo. The demonstration was a clear show of solidarity with Cunningham's recent comments on transgender inclusion in women's sports — a stance that has sparked intense debate across the league.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans,” Cunningham told ESPN. “And I'm like, 'I never once said that.' 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.”
Hutchinson's public endorsement adds a notable voice to the conversation, especially as debates over transgender athletes in women's sports continue to ripple through the sports world. The powerlifter, who has competed at the highest levels of her sport, clearly aligns with Cunningham's position that fairness and safety for female athletes must be prioritized.
Despite the backlash Cunningham has faced in recent weeks, Hutchinson noted that Tuesday's rally drew little opposition. “Only about five were wearing protect trans kids and protect the dolls t shirts, [they] walked by and said that our signs were disrespectful,” Hutchinson told Fox News Digital.
The scene in Toronto was a microcosm of the larger cultural clash surrounding Cunningham. While she was met with jeers from the Tempo crowd, she also received a warm welcome from her supporters — a dynamic she addressed after the Fever's victory.
“I want to shout out the Tempo crowd and the city. I think we've had so much fun. It's my first time being in Canada. It's a lot of our first times being in Canada, but the crowd was absolutely amazing,” Cunningham said, via Daily Mail. “And, you know, I think that's what sports is all about. You're going to get boos, you're going to get cheers. But just the fact that they're so passionate, they're loud, and they're putting on for the city, I think it's amazing. So shout out to you guys for coming out and supporting.”
Cunningham's grace under pressure has drawn praise from figures like Sam Ponder, who commended her classy response to the boos. The Fever guard has also won over many fans with her composure, as her graceful handling of the hostile crowd became a talking point after the game.
For Hutchinson, the rally was more than just a show of support — it was a statement. As a female athlete who has competed at the highest level, she understands the stakes of the debate. Her presence outside Scotiabank Arena sent a clear message that Cunningham's voice is not alone.
The Fever will return to action Thursday night against the Dallas Wings, where Cunningham will look to build on her strong start to the season. But regardless of what happens on the court, the conversation surrounding her off-court stance shows no signs of cooling down.
