The kissing during breaks of a televised game against the Miami Sol, was organized by "Lesbians for Liberty," a group that contends that Liberty management has systematically refused to acknowledge that lesbians are in the crowd.
Lesbians make up roughly 30 percent of the WNBA fan base, according to a report by The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.The group says that while the WNBA – and notably Liberty – caters to other groups with events to mark Father's Day and Black History Month, gay and lesbian Pride is notably ignored.
Liberty has responded to the accusations saying that its fan base in a very diverse city is so diverse that it doesn't need to cater to a particular group. Liberty games are "an environment where every single person — regardless of age, ethnicity or sexual preference — is treated equally."
Other WNBA teams have been more inclusive. The Miami Sol sponsors a lesbian festival, and last season the Los Angeles Sparks made a team-sanctioned appearance at an event sponsored by a lesbian club.
In a recent email encouraging the affectionate displays planned for last Friday's game, the lesbian group asked, "Are you tired of the WNBA and the New York Liberty denying that lesbians are packing Madison Square Garden week after week for women's basketball games?''
Other protesters marked the team's "Banner Night" promotion by holding up "Lesbians for Liberty" signs.