NFL
By: Zach Draves
If any word can best describe WNBA player Layshia Clarendon, it would be authentic.
The star of the famed New York Liberty and the first vice president of the WNBA players association identifies as trans/non-binary and she/her/they/them/he/him pronouns and this past week they made a powerful statement of unabashed pride.
(Courtesy: USA Today)
From their Instagram and Twitter:
“I’m usually not scared to share news publicly but the amount of hate, myths & ignorance actually had me debating sharing this joy,” Clarendon wrote on Twitter. “I had Top Surgery! 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!”
I’m usually not scared to share news publicly but the amount of hate, myths & ignorance actually had me debating sharing this joy. I had Top Surgery! 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!
pic.twitter.com/6ERDPoQGwb
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) January 29, 2021
Their announcement received strong support from the Liberty and the WNBA.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert wrote, “Layshia’s story is one of inspiration and courage, and as a takeaway from the emotional conversation we shared recently, my hope is that the WNBA’s full support will extend far beyond this league. We are so proud Layshia is part of the WNBA and we know that their voice and continued advocacy will not only support and help honor and uplift many other non-binary and trans people but also encourage empathy and understanding for the community across all levels of sport.”
The Liberty statement read:
“The New York Liberty family is in full support of Layshia Clarendon and their choice to live authentically,” the team said. “The Liberty has been and will continue to be an organization that celebrates the individuality of all people. Layshia is a proud embodiment of our belief that our strength lies in our truth and no one should live constrained by societal boundaries. Layshia’s journey as a pioneering athlete, along with their activism and advocacy work, is an inspiring call for each of us to honor our humanity above all else.”
Layshia taking ownership of one’s body and one’s identity in an era of greater visibility of trans/non-binary people is not only inspiring, it is necessary.
In addition to progress in the culture, there has been a vicious backlash in the form of legislation, right-wing commentary, discrimination, and violence that is having a disproportionate affect on black and brown trans and non-binary people.
The sight of seeing Layshia officially live as themselves in the public eye gives so many trans and non-binary a sense of hope and affirmation.
(Courtesy: The Nation)
For anyone who has been following Layshia’s career for some time, this is yet another example of them being in sync with the intersectional identities they maintain.
They are trans/non-binary, black, queer, Christian, activist, and a sexual assault survivor who has from the get-go not been the least bit shy speaking truth to power and also ensuring that those identities are not mutually exclusive.
Layshia was one of the leaders the past year in dedicating the season to the memory of Breonna Taylor and other black women who were killed in acts of state violence as well as changing the course of American history by flipping the United States Senate in Georgia.
(Courtesy: New York Daily News)
Also, they are on the front lines of LGBTQIA+ activism and in particular rightfully calling out these attempts to deny trans youth the ability to participate in sports.
There isn’t a social justice cause where Layshia Clarendon is absent.
They will continue to be themselves and to speak freely about the current state of society as it is.
Courage without compromise.
