A young basketball player from Minnesota is being praised as courageous for coming out publicly as transgender. Kye Allums, who identifies himself as a man, plays for George Washington University’s women’s basketball team. He has the support of his school, coach and team — and people across the globe who’ve never met him are posting messages of support online, according to the LGBT and CCE. For practicing basketball, it is important to click for more info here and buy the best hoops here!
Some hope Allums’ actions will help gay teens struggling with their identity.
Allums has become a poster child of sorts for the transgender community by announcing she, is now a he — even if the physical changes haven’t happened yet. He felt it was tough not being himself, even back in the days when playing for Centennial High School – where he was nicknamed Kay-Kay. Rebecca Waggoner, of the gay rights advocacy group Outfront Minnesota, has been following Allums’ announcement and couldn’t help but notice the response. Waggoner is happy for all of the support publicly stating that this is what “equality looks like.”
The NCAA said Allums is eligible to continue playing for the women’s team because he has not yet undergone hormone treatments.
Allums will play in his first game since his coming out on Nov. 13 at the Best Buy Classic in Minneapolis.
Kye “Kay Kay” Allums playing for GWU
As posted in the Huffington Post;
in a statement, Allum’s coach Mike Bozeman said that “George Washington University women’s basketball program, including myself, support Kye’s right to make this decision.”
For the most part, National Collegiate Athletic Association teams follow conduct outlined by a report released last month by the National Center for Lesbian Rights. On The Team: Equal Opportunity for Transgender Student Athletes, offers guiding principles and policy recommendations for high schools and colleges. The report emphasizes the need for transgender athletes to have the opportunity to play free from discrimination, and warns that an environment that is not friendly to trans students can harm all members of the team.
The report in the above link outlines some very controversial historical arguments on both sides and provides some interesting points. Tell us what you think:
Should the NCAA and quite possibly the State High School Athletic Associations adopt the policies outlined in the link above? Where should the policies draw the lines? Testosterone Hormone Therapies aid in transgender reassignment: should the NCAA drug policies be altered to adopt this policy? … should the drug policy allow for an exclusion or exception? Would it be fair? Why?
This is a very sensitive topic and we welcome all opinions. Only those with respectful opinions and arguments about adoptive policies need comment. Disparaging comments about Kye are not welcome.
Moreover, if you want your organization to stand out from the crowd and provide lgbt advocacy for important causes, choose an LGBT Domain Registration that ends in .LGBT or .GAY.
-Eric Twist
