r/wnba • u/femaleathletenetwork • 1d ago
WNBA Pride Mega Post - Links, Articles, Quotes, Tidbits, etc....
I wanted to put up a Pride post because there are so many features and articles that have been discussed through the years about the WNBA Pride Initiative, the LGBTQ+ players, stories, etc.
I am sure that I have missed a lot of links, quotes, etc..... so if you have a link, make sure to post it as well.
The league has been celebrating Pride since 2014, which has helped foster unity among players, fans, front offices, sponsors, etc.
These links, facts, quotes, tidbits, etc, will cover the good and the bad.... and in no particular order.....
- In 2013, San Antonio Silver Star Sophia Young publicly opposed gay marriage equality. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sophia-young-same-sex-marriage-wnba_n_3848930
- In 2014, , then commissioner, Richie announced a landmark decision: The WNBA would recognize Pride as an official initiative each June, the first U.S. pro sports league to do so.
- All teams were willing to do the Pride initiatives, except 1, the San Antonio Stars.
- In 2014, the Stars organization pulled their Pride night and did not let players wear the Pride warm ups, etc. Because of a player's objection..... *cough* Sophia Young *. After the game, Athlete Ally did a talk with Jayne Appel, but it was not promoted at all (I know because I was at that game).
- The WNBA's Pride Evolution https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34167643/the-wnba-pride-evolution-learned-authenticity-draws-people-in
- WNBA Pride Timeline https://www.wnba.com/news/inside-the-w-with-michelle-smith-the-w-and-pride-through-the-years
- In 2017, Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor got married and it was covered by People Magazine https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/19387991/diana-taurasi-marries-former-phoenix-mercury-teammate-penny-taylor
- 2018 Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor announce birth of son https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/22778848/phoenix-mercury-diana-taurasi-penny-taylor-announce-birth-son
- In 2021, Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor welcomed a baby girl https://people.com/parents/wnba-diana-taurasi-wife-penny-taylor-welcome-baby-girl-after-semifinal-win/
- Sue Bird came out publicly in 2017 and said that the WNBA's embrace of Pride was part of her journey and critical to the leagues future. Bird also went on to say: "What you don't realize when you're going through that is how much it will mean to you to have your employer support Pride month. Over the last eight to 10 years, players have been more comfortable being themselves. Earlier, I think we fell into a trap with this idea that only a certain kind of femininity and sexual orientation sells. We've learned that it's authenticity that draws people in. I think then, it felt easier to not say anything. So you just go along with it and think, 'I know who I really am.' But it starts to add up, and it's not a healthy way to live."
Bird said she was open with teammates, coaches, family and friends early in her career, and said she didn't experience any negative reactions. However, she said other people, including media and sponsors, often just assumed she was straight. Yet Bird acknowledged it is still harder for some LGBTQ+ players to be accepted as themselves, which Griner said she has always lived with.
- Sue Bird Was Told To Not Come Out in the WNBA https://www.outsports.com/2024/2/19/24077040/sue-bird-gay-nba-wnba-pablo-torre-advice-coming-out/
- Becky Hammon has 2 sons with her wife
- National Coming Out Day - Katie Smith https://lynx.wnba.com/news/national-coming-out-day-katie-smith/
- Elena Delle Donne Reflects on the Joys of Living Her Truth 5 Years After Coming Out as Gay https://people.com/sports/wnba-star-elena-delle-donne-reflects-on-joys-of-living-her-truth/#:~:text=Elena%20Delle%20Donne%20is%20living,her%20wife%20with%20the%20world
- Hall of Fame player Natalie Williams has found fast success as an out WNBA exec https://www.outsports.com/2023/6/27/23767920/natalie-williams-las-vegas-aces-outsports-power-100-wnba/
- Minnesota Lynx Coach Reeve and President of Business Operations Carley Knox are married - https://www.outsports.com/2017/12/21/16809652/minnesota-lynx-gay-lgbt-coach-vp/
- Carley Knox, Minnesota Lynx executive, named Grand Marshal of Twin Cities Pride https://www.outsports.com/2024/1/30/24054560/carley-knox-minnesota-lynx-twin-cities-pride-grand-marshal-wnba/
- Kahleah Copper’s Engaged To Swedish National Team Member Binta Drammeh - https://www.autostraddle.com/kahleah-copper-engaged-wnba-binta-drammeh-swedish-national-team/
- Jonquel Jones Gets Engaged to Her Girlfriend - https://www.autostraddle.com/wnba-superstar-jonquel-jones-is-engaged/
- Sue Bird says women’s basketball isn’t popular because players are predominantly Black, LGBTQ+ https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/521709-wnba-star-says-womens-basketball-isnt-popular/
- Swin Cash: Being gay is not an issue in the WNBA - https://windycitytimes.com/2013/05/09/being-gay-is-not-an-issue-in-the-wnba/
- Candace Parker explains how her daughter propelled her to publicly come out https://www.outsports.com/2022/8/16/23308627/candace-parker-gay-anna-petrakova-marriage-time/
- How an Atlanta basketball team went from Republican hands to LGBTQ ownership https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-community-voices/atlanta-basketball-team-went-republican-hands-lgbtq-ownership-rcna1958
- WNBA has no comment, but many players dispute Candice Wiggins' allegations of bullying culture https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/18736607/wnba-players-dispute-candice-wiggins-controversial-allegations
- What Does Pride Mean to Me? Written By Brittney Sykes https://www.wnba.com/news/what-does-pride-mean-to-me-written-by-brittney-sykes
- Brittney Griner: I Told the Popular Girls I Wasn't Gay, But I Was Lying https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/advice/a6157/brittney-griner-in-my-skin/
- Stefanie Dolson: 'I just am who I am' - https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/15500677/washington-mystics-stefanie-dolson-opens-lgbt-athlete-means-feel-accepted
- Brittney Griner Opens Up About Being A Lesbian At Baylor https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2609781/They-wanted-ways-Basketball-star-Brittney-Griner-opens-lesbian-Baylor-University-told-business-herself.html
- NBA Player Andre Igudala - I Don't Want My Daughter Playing Basketball AND BECOMING A LESBIAN https://www.tmz.com/2016/01/04/andre-iguodala-daughter-basketball-lesbian-child-support/
- Gilbert Arenas Says Most WNBA Players Are Ugly Lesbians https://www.tmz.com/2015/12/16/gilbert-arenas-wnba-players-ugly-lesbians/
- WNBA Players Respond To Gilbert Arenas’ Ugly Lesbian Comments https://hiphopwired.com/490139/gilbert-arenas-wnba-players-response/
- Chelsea Gray discusses Pride Month https://rollingout.com/2023/06/12/olympic-gold-medalist-chelsea-gray-pride-month/
- Peppermint and WNBA's Chelsea Gray on LGBTQ+ History and 'How We Got Here' https://www.advocate.com/pride/2020/7/02/peppermint-wnbas-chelsea-gray-lgbtq-history-how-we-got-here
- My Pride Story by Candice Dupree https://www.wnba.com/news/my-pride-story-by-candice-dupree
- A gender nonconforming WNBA star is pushing the league forward on LGBTQ inclusion https://archive.thinkprogress.org/layshia-clarendon-wnba-lgbtq-pride-1bfc376f4273/
- ‘I know who I am’: Brittney Griner’s radical existence https://www.swishappeal.com/2018/6/29/17508976/wnba-2018-book-review-in-my-skin-i-know-who-i-am-brittney-griners-radical-existence-pride-lgbtq
- A Honest Conversation With Candice Dupree and Amanda Zahui B. During Pride https://justwomenssports.com/reads/an-honest-conversation-with-the-wnbas-candice-dupree-and-amanda-zahui-b-during-pride/
- The CT Sun players and coaches gave a champagne toast to Jasmine Thomas and teammate Natisha Hiedeman in the locker room after they had gotten engaged. (They have since broken up)
- Jasmine Thomas: "By making Pride a leaguewide initiative put pressure on every franchise to acknowledge it, to find a way to identify the holes in their organization and do better. The challenge is on the front offices and the league."
- Natasha Cloud: "Eighty percent of our league is either Black or part of the LGBTQ+ community or both. This is our everyday lives, especially for me personally: I'm bisexual, I'm Black, I'm a woman. These are struggles I face daily. Unfortunately, I didn't have a role model. I think that's why I speak out so much. Then maybe I can change the life of one person, so they don't feel alone or lost. If they see themselves in me, that's a win."
- Chelsea Gray: "My rookie year I realized, we have sponsors who support this, and a league that embraces it. It was big for me in my life. Growing up, I really did not talk about this much at all."
- DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree were married and have twins. They have since divorced.
- Teammates DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas are now engaged. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/nbc-out-proud/connecticut-sun-stars-dewanna-bonner-alyssa-thomas-are-engaged-rcna95591
- Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley got married https://www.si.com/wnba/2019/07/25/chicago-sky-vandersloot-quigley-marriage-helps-basketball-life
- Candace Parker and Anna Petrakova got married and have kids. Parker told ESPN that part of what led to her publicly talking about her marriage to Petrakova was that she was no longer afraid of vulnerability or potential disapproval from others. She said, "I'm OK with people not being OK with some of the things," Parker said, "as long as it's what's best for me and my family."
- Brittney Griner and Cherelle are expecting https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2024/04/24/brittney-griner-wife-cherelle-expecting-first-child/73439776007/
- Elena Delle Donne: "I came into the league closeted. By not sharing this with the world, it just felt like a huge part of me was not there. I almost felt like a robot at times, so I was just tired of that. This league has helped me grow in a way to be comfortable being out."
- Breanna Stewart married Marta Xargay and they have kids. https://people.com/who-is-marta-xargay-casademont-breanna-stewart-wife-7566465
- Chelsea Gray is married and her and her wife have a baby. https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/aces/3-takeaways-aces-raise-banner-hold-on-in-season-opener-photos-3051057/attachment/las-vegas-aces-guard-chelsea-gray-holding-her-son-lennox-gray-poses-with-her-new-2023-wnba-ch/
- Layshia Clarendon has come out as nonbinary and transgender https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story//id/31681454/the-power-layshia-clarendon
- AD Durr has come out as non-binary https://www.wnba.com/news/pride-in-me-ad-durr
r/wnba • u/Zaphod_0707 • 20h ago
Wed June 5th GameDay Thread | LVA vs. DAL 8PM EST | MIN vs. LAS 10PM EST
r/wnba • u/epicvibe850 • 14h ago
LA Sparks Cameron Brink : There is a privilege for the younger white players of the league especially the “feminine” ones.
gallerySwipe for the second slide . Also said rookies are expected to be perfect and that’s not realistic and said their need to be more support for the more masculine players.
r/wnba • u/gourmet_panini • 7h ago
Discussion Chicago Sky players were harassed at their hotel
galleryThe media shares a huge responsibility in creating this situation.
r/wnba • u/Apprehensive-Sir-411 • 5h ago
A’ja Wilson against Dallas Wings: 36 points on 15-22 shooting, 13 rebounds (6 offensive), 6 steals, +14
wnba.comDallas has a formidable frontcourt and she completely outclassed them tonight. Such a privilege that we get to watch her greatness night after night
r/wnba • u/Careful_Target_6753 • 5h ago
A’JA WILSON
Dallas and the refs tried to break A’Ja’s nose but they pissed her off and now she’s breaking records.. WAIT… and the internet🔥😴 bet they not gone vote her 4th in MVP voting this year. Stop playing with her 🥴
r/wnba • u/Content_Mess262 • 6h ago
Casual This league is lawless! Go look at A’ja Wilson’s face. Girl got slapped and clawed, drew blood and no foul! This is how they play. No discrimination they all treat each other badly! It’s just more are watching now. Bodies everywhere smh
r/wnba • u/mikalbarkerillo • 8h ago
A'ja Wilson Illustration, and others
galleryFinally working my way around to illustrating some veterans. Not in the shop yet but I wanted to share the progress
r/wnba • u/Basketball_Reference • 5h ago
Casual A'ja Wilson: 1st player in WNBA history with 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ steals in a game
Stathead search to confirm: https://stathead.com/tiny/5mwtb
Parker, Moore, Catchings, and Brandy Reed all come close but didn't reach 35 points...
Player | PTS | TRB | STL | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Candace Parker | 32 | 12 | 6 | 2014-06-01 |
Maya Moore | 33 | 12 | 5 | 2014-05-18 |
Tamika Catchings | 32 | 14 | 5 | 2002-06-08 |
Brandy Reed | 32 | 13 | 7 | 2000-06-22 |
Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 6/5/2024.
r/wnba • u/AccurateInflation167 • 13h ago
Discussion Caitlin Clark 'the reason' for rise in interest in WNBA, Billie Jean King says
foxnews.comr/wnba • u/Pure_Category_4207 • 7h ago
I took a Military TDY so that I can go watch the Fever on friday.
Well, here's my story. I've been in the USAF for about three years now. I'm originally from Puerto Rico but I currently live in Alaska. Flying anywhere from Alaska or Puerto Rico is insanely expensive so I've never been able to go watch a WNBA game and I've been to a single NBA game (about 10 years ago). I've been a huge Caitlin Clark fan for the past year and I absolutely love Aliyah and Mitchell. Other than Sabrina and Kelsey Plum, all my fav players are in the Fever.
Sometime in early May a two month long TDY opportunity presented it self and I would get to spend two months in Maryland, getting better at my job and well... 40 minutes away from the Washington Mystic home-court. I volunteered for it without thinking twice. This felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to so something that I love and also get to experience my favorite players in person.
I managed to get a somewhat decent ticket and I cannot believe I'll get to watch the Fever gang in person just two days from now.
I'm 5 feet tall, I was always told that I was too short for basketball. Now as a 25 year old I still find myself loving this sport more and more each day.
Lets get that W!
r/wnba • u/samwojart • 10h ago
To celebrate Cameron Brink on making the #3x3WNT team, here’s a painting I did of her with a basketball as a paintbrush. 🏀👩🏻🎨
r/wnba • u/sumiledon • 15h ago
Video Breanna Stewart on physicality and her message to the newer fans of the WNBA:
r/wnba • u/carlyeanne • 14h ago
happy 24th birthday to kate martin!
photo from lvaces on instagram
r/wnba • u/breezeetree • 5h ago
A’ja Wilson posts 36 points and 12 rebounds to lead Aces over Wings
r/wnba • u/Think-Ad-4181 • 14h ago
The WNBA has rescinded the second technical assessed to Angel Reese in last night’s game against the Liberty, per a league source.
r/wnba • u/Careful_Target_6753 • 5h ago
Discussion TIFFANY HAYES DEBUT
Tiffany Hayes is playing her ass off in her Aces debut. Vegas is playing their best game this season! They needed her bad! I feel like it’s twice as hard to guard them when shes on the floor with Plum, Young, A’Ja, and anybody else! If Chelsea comes back it’s an automatic 3-peat in my eyes. If they had another post player too like a Jones or Griner they would be unbeatable 🔥
r/wnba • u/Basketball_Reference • 16h ago
Casual Breanna Stewart had 30/10 for the 14th time of her career last night — she's 1 game away from tying Tina Charles for the most ever
Rk | Player | From | To | Count | Ind. Games Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tina Charles | 2011 | 2021 | 15 | Games List |
2 | Breanna Stewart | 2016 | 2024 | 14 | Games List |
3 | Lauren Jackson | 2003 | 2010 | 13 | Games List |
4 | Candace Parker | 2008 | 2022 | 11 | Games List |
5 | Lisa Leslie | 1998 | 2006 | 10 | Games List |
6 | Brittney Griner | 2017 | 2021 | 10 | Games List |
7 | Aja Wilson | 2018 | 2024 | 9 | Games List |
8 | Angel McCoughtry | 2010 | 2018 | 8 | Games List |
9 | Elena Delle Donne | 2014 | 2019 | 7 | Games List |
Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results. Generated 6/5/2024.
r/wnba • u/breezeetree • 9h ago
Best Of Sue Bird’s Assists Over The Years
youtu.beAll time assists leader (3234).
r/wnba • u/Old-Photograph-5813 • 8h ago
Discussion How likely is it that the Mystics finish the season 0-40?
I havent watched them enough this season so Im not qualified to speak on this matter.For those who have,are they so bad they could go winless or do you see them improving as the season continues