WNBA star Sophie Cunningham refused to back down from her previous statements defending women's sports.

The Indiana Fever guard said Wednesday she stands by comments she made earlier this week arguing that biological women and girls deserve protections in athletics and locker rooms, despite criticism from some activists and social media users.

"I said what I said. I think it's common sense," Cunningham told reporters before the Fever's game against the Connecticut Sun, according to the New York Post.

"I think I'll always believe in that. It's really important to protect children. And that's little girls, who are also involved in that category. I stand by what I said and I'll always believe that."

The remarks came after Cunningham addressed the issue in an interview with ESPN, in which she rejected claims that she harbors animosity toward transgender people while expressing concern about biological males competing in women's sports.

"I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I'm like, 'I never once said that,'" Cunningham said. "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."

Cunningham doubled down after facing backlash online, saying she would "never falter" in her belief that women's sports, women athletes, and children in sports should be protected.

"When it comes just to protecting young girls in sport and women in sport, I feel very strongly about that," she said in a video posted on X by journalist Genevieve Gluck. "That's why you have Title IX. That's why you have some of the greats in women's sports. If Title IX women's sports weren't protected, then you wouldn't hear about any type of women in sport."

Cunningham added that she has "never once said that I hated the trans community" while reaffirming her support for preserving women's athletics for biological females.

She also rejected efforts to portray her comments as politically motivated or partisan.

"I'm not a very political person," she said, adding that she has personal convictions she intends to uphold. In her ESPN interview, she described herself as politically "in the middle," saying she agrees and disagrees with positions on both sides of the aisle.

"I extend love. I don't dislike anyone," Cunningham said. "I think there's room for absolutely everyone here."

The issue of transgender participation in women's sports has become a major national debate.

President Donald Trump has made protecting women's sports a priority of his administration, and several states have enacted laws limiting participation in girls' and women's sports based on biological sex.

Supporters argue such policies preserve fairness and safety, while opponents contend they discriminate against transgender athletes.

Cunningham indicated she has no plans to back away from her position.

"I think there are rights that need to be protected," she said. "I'm going to stand true to that."