Liberty guard Layshia Clarendon, who identifies herself as transgender and non-binary, announced on social media on Friday that they had surgery to remove breast tissue.
“It is difficult to express in words the feeling of seeing my chest for the first time without breasts, seeing my chest the way I have always seen it and feeling a sense of gender euphoria as opposed to gender dysphoria,” wrote Clarendon on Instagram, along with a photo taken after surgery. “Sighhhh … freedom … freedom finally.”
Clarendon has generally been open about his identity, but he was afraid to share news of the operation due to “the amount of hatred, myths and ignorance.” Clarendon decided to share the photo because “I want trans people to know and see that we always exist and nobody can erase us!”
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The turns on, the players union and the New York Liberty released statements offering support to Clarendon.
“Layshia’s story is one of inspiration and courage, and as a lesson from the emotional conversation we recently shared, my hope is that WNBA’s full support will extend far beyond this league,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “We are very proud that Layshia is part of the WNBA and we know that her continued voice and advocacy will not only support and help honor and elevate many other non-binary and trans people, but also encourage empathy and understanding for the community at all levels. sport. “
The eight-year-old WNBA veteran had the best career average of 11.5 points for New York last season. Clarendon wrote in The Players’ Tribune five years ago that they identify themselves as “blacks, gays, women, non-cisgenders and Christians” and expanded their identity in an Instagram post in December.
“To exist outside of binary for me is freedom,” wrote Clarendon. “I learned that my gender just doesn’t fit into the molds that try to hold and fit it. I know that my gender will continue to evolve because we change and grow and change shape and expand. I know that as (non-binary poet) Andrea says Gibson, my pronouns haven’t even been invented yet. I know we all have masculinity and femininity within us and mine appears equal, totally and fully. “
Clarendon and his wife Jessica had their first child together in December.