Being an Out Athlete

Today I just received news that the NCAA’s first ever transgender person, to publicly come out as a transgender male, will continue to play women’s Division I basketball for George Washington University. This is HUGE besides the people who don’t understand what it means to be transgendered, or the difference of sex vs gender, I am hopeful that this will get people thinking, talking, and advocating for something that it outside of the traditional gender binary.

He will go by male pronouns, he will hold off on hormone and surgical procedures, and will continue to play ball for not only a womens team, but a supportive womens team and school. I am ecstatic that not only are his teammates supportive of his process but his coach and school are on board as well.

Don’t get me wrong, this is going to be hard. The basketball season’s coming up and the NCAA, despite their best efforts, have a hard time of not only catching up on current issues but also enforcing their own policies. They already got their hands full with players going overseas for 1 year or only playing their freshman year of college ball just so they can get to the NBA. It’s ridiculous really, all the focus towards mens basketball, but that’s besides the point. The point is that Kye Allums is breaking ground and the NCAA will not only have to address his eligibility and rights, but they’ll have to address others who will (eventually) follow suit.

I’m a Jayhawk fan and alum, but you can bet that I’ll be keeping my eye on the womens tournament to see how GW and Kye Allums’ team is doing.

Thursday, November 18 is Transgender Day of Remembrance here at UNF. We will have a ceremony that includes a vigil, reading of names, (of transgender people who have passed) and a celebration of life ceremony immediately afterwards. Transgender awareness and advocacy, it’s important to include the entire human population, including those who do not fit the (gender) binary.