WASHINGTON: A George Washington University women's basketball player, Kye Allums, is to play for the women's basketball team again this year despite changing gender. The NCAA has ruled the move is within the boundaries set by the national college sports authority. Allums will be the first openly transgender athlete to play in a Division I basketball game when George Washington opens its season later this month. “This means a lot,” Allums, 21, said in a statement. “I didn't choose to be born in this body and feel the way I do.” The 5 foot 11 inch guard from Hugo, Minnesota, said the university has been supportive of his decision. But he will not be permitted to undergo testosterone therapy as long as he is competing on the team. Last month, a report from the National Center on Lesbian Rights and the Women's Sports Foundation assisted in the matter, arguing that transgender student-athletes “should be allowed to participate in any gender-segregated sports activity so long as that athlete's use of hormone therapy, if any, is consistent with the national governing body's existing policies on banned medications.” Making matters even easier for Allums is the student body at the university. A number of students told Bikya Masr that they are “extremely happy” for Allums to continue his basketball career and not have to suffer through a “difficult” personal experience. “We are definitely going to be supporting him and it is good for sports, education and America that a person is able to live their life as they choose and still maintain the activities they are good at,” said Jared Montague, a George Washington senior who has taken classes with Allums. “He is a nice person and deserves this. I am pleasantly surprised that the NCAA and the university are supporting him, it is great,” Montague added. BM
