A Colonial Transition

[Butterfly]

A Colonial Transition
03 November, 2010


http://www.gwsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/110310aac.html


GW junior Kye Allums is the first openly transgender male student-athlete to compete for the Colonials' Division I women's basketball program.

A transgender person identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one of his or her sex at birth.

"I want people, not just athletes, to be comfortable with who they are and not feel like they have to hide who they are," says Mr. Allums.

The NCAA does not keep statistics on transgender student-athletes, but Mr. Allums isn't the first to come out publicly. In 2005, Keelin Godsey began competing as a transgender male member of Bates College's women's track and field team. Mr. Godsey went on to win the hammer throw at both the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

Mr. Allums has been open about his transgender status with teammates and coaches and adopted a new legal name in September. Now, he is ready to make his transgender identity public.