Layshia Clarendon is Inspiring Athletes and People Everywhere

Photo Credit - Outsports.com

On January 28th, NY Liberty guard Layshia Clarendon announced on Twitter that they had received top surgery. They stated that "I’m feeling free & euphoric in my body & want Trans people to know and see that we’ve always existed & no one can erase us! (via @Layshiac on Twitter). Fearful of hate, Clarendon was scared to show their true identity and most authentic self. After this announcement, they were met with an insane amount of support from people inside and outside of the sports community.

The WNBA wrote that "With the support of this union, Layshia has shared a personal part of their story with the world, and reminds us that what it means to be human is to be authentic, holistic and inclusive. It is a story that will empower, and remind us that we will not be restrained by the many assumptions and stereotypes that seek the define us as girls or women" (WNBPA).

Photo Credit - @Layshiac on Twitter

It's so inspiring to see how much support Layshia is receiving. This is such an amazing story for youth, adults, and anyone in between. Layshia is one of the handful of athletes to publicly come out as trans/non-binary. To my knowledge, they are the first openly trans person in the WNBA. I'm so happy for Layshia and that they now feel like themself. I wish nothing but the best for them in their personal life (they have a wife and baby) and as a basketball player.

Layshia identifies as trans/non-binary and uses she/her/they/them/he/him pronouns.

Trans people belong in sports. Everyone belongs in sports.