Unusual Incident at WNBA Game: Reflecting on the Dildo-Throwing Incident and Its Implications
In the world of women's sports, a series of disturbing incidents have been making headlines. During several WNBA games, fans have been throwing sex toys onto the court, causing disruption and sparking outrage.
Alexandra Cromer, a licensed professional counselor, has weighed in on the issue, stating that such behaviour is "inherently disrespectful, demeaning, and conveys a misogynistic message." Cromer emphasizes that this action can potentially cause emotional harm, especially to players who have been sexually assaulted or abused, or who have undisclosed sexual and/or physical traumas.
The WNBA is a league predominantly made up of Black players and a significant number of women representing the LGBTQ community. The league and coaches stress that these actions threaten player safety and show a lack of respect for the athletes' dedication and professionalism.
Using a dildo communicates degradation, according to Cromer. She believes that all of a player's hard work and successes are viewed outside of their achievements as athletes, but rather in relation to a sexual object. The humor associated with the sex toy incidents, she states, reflects a lack of respect for women, queer women, women of color, and the industry of women's sports.
The first reported incident occurred on July 29, and since then, the sex toy-throwing debacle has occurred at three other WNBA games. In one instance, someone threw a neon green sex toy on the court, causing play to stop. Isabelle Harrison, a New York Liberty forward, wrote on X that the incidents are "not funny" and dangerous.
Elizabeth Williams, Sky centre, described the incident at the Aug. 1 game as "super disrespectful." At least two men have been arrested after being accused of throwing sex toys in separate incidents at WNBA games. The league has stated that spectators who throw objects onto the court will face a minimum one-year ban and be subject to arrest and prosecution.
Cromer notes that society tends to view men's accomplishments and successes as something to be respected, and the fact that these incidents haven't occurred at NBA games highlights the discrepancies in respect between male and female sports.
Throwing sex toys can symbolically reduce women athletes to sexual objects, reinforcing misogynistic attitudes by mocking or sexualizing them rather than treating them as serious competitors. This behaviour reflects underlying gender biases and perpetuates a hostile environment for women in sports. It also endangers young fans, as in the case of a 12-year-old girl struck by such an object.
In summary, throwing sex toys at WNBA games not only threatens physical safety but also sends a harmful message that diminishes female athletes through objectification and disrespect, negatively affecting mental wellbeing and perpetuating gender discrimination in sports. The WNBA and its players are calling for an end to this behaviour, urging fans to show respect and appreciation for the athletes' hard work and dedication.
- The disturbing incidents in women's sports, such as throwing sex toys onto the court during WNBA games, are considered inherently disrespectful by licensed professional counselor Alexandra Cromer, as they can potentially cause emotional harm to players, especially those with undisclosed sexual and/or physical traumas.
- The league's emphasis on player safety and respect highlights the significant number of Black players and women from the LGBTQ community in the WNBA, as actions like these threaten their dedication and professionalism.
- Cromer believes that using a dildo to distract or disrespect the players communicates degradation, reducing women athletes to sexual objects and mocking or sexualizing them instead of treating them as serious competitors.
- The WNBA and its players are urging fans to show respect and appreciation for the athletes' hard work and dedication, as throwing sex toys can symbolically objectify and disrespect women athletes, perpetuating gender discrimination in sports and negatively affecting mental wellbeing.
