Che Flores makes history as NBA’s inaugural nonbinary, transgender referee.
OAN’s James Meyers
11:25 AM – Tuesday, October 24, 2023
The NBA is making history with its first nonbinary, transgender referee set to officiate in the upcoming season.
NBA referee Che Flores made headlines in a recent GQ article, where they shared their journey of coming out to fellow officials at the NBA referees’ annual preseason meetings in Brooklyn, New York.
“One piece I was missing for myself was that no one knew how I identified,” Flores told the outlet. “Being misgendered as she/her always just felt like a little jab in the gut.”
According to the National Basketball Referees Association, Flores began their NBA career as a non-staff official during the 2021-2022 season. They have officiated in the WNBA for 10 seasons and in the G League, the NBA’s minor league organization, for almost 10 years.
In addition, Flores has 13 years of experience officiating in the NCAA, including high-profile games like the 2021 NCAA Women’s National Championship and the Women’s Final Four in 2019.
“When I started refereeing, you had to look a certain way,” Flores recalled in the interview. “This is the first time I’m comfortable expressing myself through my own fashion and not having to worry about it. I feel one hundred percent myself now.”
Reports suggest that some NBA executives have been aware of Flores’ gender identity for several months.
The referee’s decision to come out is driven by a desire to inspire younger queer individuals.
“I just think of having younger queer kids look at somebody who’s on a high-profile stage and not using it,” Flores said in the interview.
“And I’m not using the league to an advantage in any way. This is just to let young kids know that we can exist, we can be successful in all different ways. For me, that is most important—to just be a face that somebody can be like, Oh, okay, that person exists. I think I can do that.”
The NBA season kicks off on Tuesday with the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, hosting the Los Angeles Lakers.
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How does Che Flores’ announcement as the first nonbinary, transgender referee in the NBA contribute to creating a more inclusive and diverse sports environment?
The NBA is set to make history in the upcoming season with its first-ever nonbinary, transgender referee. Che Flores, an experienced official, recently came out to fellow officials at the NBA referees’ annual preseason meetings in Brooklyn, New York. This announcement has garnered attention and support from both inside and outside of the sports industry.
Flores, who has officiated in the WNBA for 10 seasons and in the G League for almost 10 years, began their NBA career as a non-staff official during the 2021-2022 season. They also have 13 years of experience officiating in the NCAA, including high-profile games such as the NCAA Women’s National Championship in 2021 and the Women’s Final Four in 2019.
In an interview with a media outlet, Flores expressed their relief at finally being able to identify as their true self. They shared that being misgendered in the past always felt like a jab in the gut, and now, they feel 100% themselves. This milestone in Flores’ career represents a significant step towards inclusivity and acceptance in the sports world.
According to reports, some NBA executives have been aware of Flores’ gender identity for several months. Their decision to come out publicly is motivated by a desire to inspire and empower younger queer individuals. Flores hopes that by being visible on a high-profile stage, they can show young LGBTQ+ individuals that they too can be successful and live authentically.
The NBA season is set to kick off on Tuesday, with the Denver Nuggets hosting the Los Angeles Lakers. This momentous occasion of having a nonbinary, transgender referee officiating in the NBA is a step forward in creating a more inclusive and diverse sports environment.
In conclusion, Che Flores’ announcement marks a significant milestone in the NBA and the sports industry as a whole. This historic moment highlights the importance of representation and acceptance in professional sports and serves as an inspiration for queer individuals. With this progress, we hope to see more inclusive practices and opportunities for all individuals within the sports world.
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