Ahead of Liberty’s Victory Over Sparks, Cloud Speaks Out on Threats to LGBTQ+ Rights

Natasha Cloud and Kelsey Plum in Crypto Arena - photo by Jackie Rae

New York Liberty’s Natasha Cloud is an outspoken and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks she took time to address some of the issues plaguing the country.

"It doesn't cost a thing to be good to other human beings,” she said.

She went on to address the dangers of intolerance—whether based on skin color, background, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation—and the policies she sees as threatening those rights under the current administration.

Natash Cloud shares her thoughts on the current state of the nation - Video by Jackie Rae

“There is nothing funny about the trajectory of our country. There’s nothing funny about the policies being implemented,” she said. “For our rights and our marriages to be under attack right now is insane.”

Her comments come as Republican lawmakers in several red states push a wave of anti-LBGTQ+ measures targeting same-sex marriage, with the aim of setting up a Supreme Court challenge to overturn the federally protected right.

V. Spehar, a social media journalist with Under the Desk News, and attorney Angela Giampolo have compiled a list of nine legal documents that married and gay couples should create to safeguard their rights if federal marriage protections are struck down.

Cloud said she hopes more WNBA players understand the weight of their voices and the responsibility that comes with wearing a team jersey.

“I hope other women in the league continue to step up and utilize their platforms and their voices. Understanding that it’s not enough to just wear LA or New York across our chest. It’s also about the communities we represent.”

On the court, the Liberty executed exactly the way head coach Sandy Brondello had envisioned. New York looked focused, and their communication helped prevent the mental lapses that have led to recent losses.

They opened with a 14–9 lead in the first quarter before both teams squandered back-to-back opportunities with missed easy buckets in the second. Despite the miscues, New York maintained a four-point lead at halftime, fueled by Jonquel Jones’ 14 first-half points, and went into the break up 50–44.

The Liberty began to pull away in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 11 as Jones, Leonie Fiebich, Emma Meesseman, Sabrina Ionescu, and Cloud took control offensively. The Sparks managed to trim the deficit to six entering the fourth quarter, but they couldn't keep pace down the stretch. New York closed out a 105–97 win at Crypto.com Arena.

The Liberty now enter a tough stretch with a matchup against the Las Vegas Aces, followed by back-to-back games against the first-place Minnesota Lynx.