Kye Allums To Become First Transgender Athlete To Play NCAA Division 1 Basketball; Debut For George Washington University Women’s Team Set For November 13th

Kye Allums is the first transgendered player in NCAA Division 1 basketball, the 21 year old guard from Hugo, Minnesota starting for the George Washington University women’s team this fall, reports CNN. It says that a report from the National Center on Lesbian Rights and the Women’s Sports Foundation provided guidance on the matter, saying that transgender student athletes “should be allowed to participate in any gender-segregated sports activity so long as that athlete’s use of hormone therapy, if any, is consistent with the national governing body’s existing policies on banned medications.” Robert Chernak, the senior vice-president of George Washington, said that Allums has the full support of the university, saying “Kye has informed the university that he will not begin any medical or drug protocols while a student-athlete. Kye will continue to be a member of the women’s basketball team. Kye has informed his teammates, and the university, with Kye’s consent, has informed athletics staff and others, as appropriate.” In a statement, Kye said “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,” adding “I told my teammates first, and they, including my coaches, have supported me. My teammates have embraced me as the big brother of the team. They have been my family, and I love them all.”