The WNBA has been under a microscope recently and with increased negativity directed towards the players online. It seems this mindset has sadly extended beyond the court in one particularly despicable instance of hatred and intolerance recently made public. Breanna Stewart, one of the key players on the field, and her wife Marta Xargay Casademont, have recently fallen victim to a wave of hate directed at the latter in the days leading up to an all-important match in the league.
Marta Xargay Casademont has sought out her Twitter account to voice distressingly upsetting news as the couple deals with a rising sense of anticipation as one highly-charged contest progresses into another. Most alarming was news about receiving a violent and discriminatory email shortly before her partner took part in the first part of the WNBA Finals. There's hope it doesn't affect upcoming games.
Despite making headway in equal rights for the women's league, an important precedent is being increasingly undermined by discriminatory displays, pushing away what little unity exists between female player organizations and fans. Adding women's sports only exacerbates already highly charged anti-LGBTQ sentiment emanating throughout America. Furthermore, if not strongly condemned now, is in high risk of moving towards greater heights in coming years.
Some action might be within reach for LGBTQ people if athletes can band together, share stories, stay united, and show that just one derogatory e-mail isn't enough to destroy the enduring hope that so many of the league players symbolize in overcoming and pushing forward in human rights.