By Rachel Bauldree, Communications Manager, CCAW
What happened?
In recent weeks, multiple incidents have occurred where dildos were thrown onto the court or at players during WNBA games. These acts are not only disruptive but carry deeply troubling implications, particularly given the context in which they are happening.
What does CCAW think?
At CCAW, we view these incidents as a blatant display of misogyny. Dildos are inherently sexual objects, and their use in this context – targeting women athletes during professional sporting events – is not accidental. It is a deliberate act meant to demean, sexualize, and undermine women in a space where they are finally gaining long-overdue visibility and respect.
While the motives behind these actions remain unclear, what is evident is the viral spread of these incidents on social media, often accompanied by laughter and mockery. This reaction is deeply concerning. It reflects a broader cultural issue where violence and harassment against women are trivialized, especially when cloaked in humor or spectacle.
It is also important to recognize the broader context: basketball has historically been a male-dominated sport, and the rise in popularity of the WNBA represents a significant shift. The timing of these incidents – just as women’s basketball is gaining traction – suggests a backlash against that progress. These actions are not just inappropriate; they are degrading, hostile, and unacceptable.
AP wrote, “No other professional sports leagues have faced sex toy disturbances like this. It has started a conversation online about the perpetrators’ choices to throw them during games in a women’s league and a league with a high-profile amount of lesbian and queer players.”
Cosmopolitan magazine wrote, “”There are people paying good money to attend a professional basketball game just to throw a (sex toy) at the players’ feet. Why? To send a message; to tell women that they don’t belong on the court and that their athleticism isn’t as valuable as their sexuality. This is misogyny, plain and simple. … They don’t care about what women deserve or how disgusting and violating their actions are. It’s time for NBA players to stand in solidarity with their female counterparts and call this behavior what it is: unacceptable, sexist, and detrimental to the entire sport.”
Why it matters.
This is not just about sports. It’s about respect, safety, and equity. When women are targeted with sexually explicit objects in public arenas, it sends a message that their presence and achievements are not valued. It reinforces harmful gender norms and contributes to a culture where gender-based harassment is normalized.
CCAW stands firmly against this behavior and calls on sports organizations, media platforms, and the public to treat these incidents with the seriousness they deserve. Women deserve to compete, succeed, and be celebrated without fear of humiliation or harassment.
Resources:
https://apnews.com/article/sex-toy-wnba-71479d687f0850e4c503525c80dfec50
https://www.glamour.com/story/throwing-dildos-wnba-games-trend
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a65614990/why-throwing-dildos-wnba-games/
