TheGrio’s 100: Kye Allums, first openly transgender NCAA basketball star
TheGrio's 100 - Kye Allums plays Division I women's basketball and he -- yes, he -- is only openly transgender male ever to do so...
Kye Allums plays Division I women’s basketball and he — yes, he — is only openly transgender male ever to do so. Born female, the junior guard for George Washington University legally changed his name from Kay Kay to Kye in November, and publicly asked to be referred to as “he,” a request GWU and the NCAA are honoring.
Kye Allums is making history … by becoming a man in the public eye. Allums started to self-identify as male in his sophomore year at GWU, but he is still biologically female. Though he intends to transition to being biologically male through hormone treatments, he’s waiting until the end of his NCAA career so he can continue to compete on the college level.
“I know I’m making history because I am the first openly active Division I transgender male student-athlete,” Allums told theGrio. “But for me the history lies with the lives that I’ve been able to touch. Helping others is the greatest gift I could ever receive, and if continuing to be myself will do just that then that’s what I will do.”
What’s next for Kye?
Kye told USA Today that his priority is winning games for GWU. “By winning games I hope I do inspire people,”” he said. He also hopes he can spread a message of self-acceptance around the world, assuring others that they are good enough just as they are.
Who inspires Kye?
“President Obama. He has the eyes of the world on him. Everyone is not going to love him; some people will; others won’t,” Allums told theGrio. “Yet he still continues to carry himself with poise, is himself and makes people laugh despite everything that he has to deal with. He is himself regardless of what others might say or think.”
In his own words …
“GW has been supportive during this transition. This means a lot. I didn’t choose to be born in this body and feel the way I do. I decided to transition — that is, change my name and pronouns — because it bothered me to hide who I am, and I am trying to help myself and others to be who they are,” Allums said in a November statement on GWU’s website.
A little-known fact …
In 1970, Will Robinson coached Illinois University’s basketball team, making Robinson the first African-American to coach Division I NCAA basketball.
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