As 64 division I women’s basketball teams took the court for this year’s NCAA tournament, George Washington University was sitting on the sidelines.
With an 8–21 record, the Colonials had what many would consider to be a losing record. But this team has a lot to celebrate, because of the humanity, tolerance and compassion its players showed off the court.
Kye Allums is a member of the women’s basketball team at George Washington University. It is because of his story, that the true meaning of “team” was tested. Allums was born female, but he has always felt inherently male.
During his freshman year of college, he decided to transition. However, this decision posed a unique problem. Allums wanted to continue playing the game he loved, but testosterone is a banned substance in the NCAA.
He had two options: Quit playing basketball or keep playing basketball and wait to transition fully. Allums opted for the latter. And his teammates, coaches and the university itself showered him with support.
The mainstream media first broke the story about Allums and his decision back in November. But most of the coverage felt light and incomplete. It was as if reporters wanted to acknowledge the uniqueness of Allums’ situation without actually addressing it specifically.
As a basketball player myself, I was instantly intrigued by the paradox of this story and longed to give Allums the platform to describe it in his own words. I felt it would not only be beneficial to Curve readers who don’t necessarily understand the complexities involved in being transgender, but also for readers who are FTM themselves. Naturally, Curve agreed.
As you settle in to watch March Madness unfold this year, remember to keep an eye out for an upcoming Curve story this fall about Kye Allums and his incredibly courageous decision to postpone his transition so he could keep playing the game he loves. It might even be more captivating than the NCAA tournament itself.