WNBA's Gabby Williams Welcomes Transgender Athletes to Team

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams stated on Thursday that she would welcome transgender athletes onto her team or any other in the WNBA, adding a voice of inclusion to a contentious debate that has recently roiled the league. Her comments, made to reporters and captured in an interview with The Local W, come amid ongoing protests and public statements surrounding Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's earlier remarks opposing transgender women in women's sports.

Williams framed the issue as a critical civil rights matter. "I think its trans, trans rights, right now, is our new battle," she said. "We see trans peoples rights being stripped away from them theres a lot of discourse around trans athletes and what they can compete in." She added, "I would welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime. I dont think its a problem in the world. Its just another way to kind of attack trans people."

The Valkyries player pointed to the precedent set by Layshia Clarendon, the WNBA's first openly nonbinary player, who retired in 2024. Clarendon, who came out as nonbinary in 2020, had a long career in the league and was the first WNBA player to have top surgery...