As we transition from the intensity of college football season to the anticipation of March Madness, college basketball takes the spotlight. In recent years, particularly the last decade, the sport has become a powerful platform for LGBTQ+ athletes and coaches to come out, assert their identities, and inspire others.
Across genders and NCAA divisions, we have witnessed players and coaches proudly identifying as transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual. While many have come out to family, friends, and teammates, numerous individuals have also chosen to share their stories publicly. Here, we highlight some of the courageous individuals who have made their presence known through the media or social media. If you know of any others, please get in touch with us.
Out College Basketball Players
Izzy Allen from Palm Beach State came out during high school in Colorado, setting the stage for others to follow. Kye Allums, who played for the George Washington women’s team, broke barriers as the first publicly out trans athlete in NCAA Division I basketball.
Nicholle Aston at Cornell shared her truth with her teammates early in her college career and later went public in 2016. Tylar Bennett used an LGBTQ inclusion project at Clemson to come out publicly, showcasing how institutions can support their athletes.
Maria Berrum’s journey was shared in a Chicago Tribune article in 2016. Her story highlighted the supportive environment provided by her high school and college teams. Emily Easom transitioned from Portland State to Sacramento State and came out publicly through a newspaper article. She now contributes to the sport by coaching high school basketball.
While winning a national junior college title at Gulf Coast State College, Taylor Emery was publicly out before continuing her career at Virginia Tech. Jess Farmer from Elon found love and acceptance as she came out while dating a fellow student-athlete.
Trailblazers like Hunter Fromang and Derrick Gordon have made significant impacts. Gordon, a player at Massachusetts and Seton Hall, was the first NCAA Division I men’s basketball player to come out publicly in 2014. His courage has yet to be followed by others in Division I men’s basketball.
Rikki Harris of Ohio State has embraced her relationship openly on social media, while Jaide Hinds-Clarke of Richmond started an organization for Black LGBTQ students.
We celebrate players like Bree Horrocks, Navi Huskey, and Gabrielle Ludwig, who have broken barriers and challenged stereotypes. Transgender athletes like Max Nagle and Sedona Prince have empowered others by living authentically.
Out LGBTQ+ Coaches
Coaches have also played a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity. Kate Achter of Detroit–Mercy, Karen Aston at UTSA, and Jennifer Azzi at San Francisco have all served as role models by sharing their personal lives publicly. Melanie Balcomb, who worked with Dawn Staley at South Carolina, exemplifies how visibility can inspire others.
Courtney Banghart of North Carolina and Chelsea Barker Walsh of UMBC have openly shared their personal lives, celebrating their families and relationships. Carla Berube’s success at Princeton, alongside her family, exemplifies the balance of career and personal life.
Jessie Biggs of Indiana Tech found a unique partnership in coaching alongside her wife Kylene. Such stories highlight the diverse and welcoming nature of college basketball and its capacity to nurture both personal and professional relationships.
Coaches like Becky Burke, Chris Burns, and Amanda Butler have used their platforms to promote acceptance, while Bridgett Casey and Billi Chambers continue to lead with pride.
The stories of coaches such as Dalila Eshe, Heather Ezell, and Kaitlynn Fratz are testaments to the ongoing progress within the sport. Kristen Gillespie’s journey at Illinois State, Shimmy Gray-Miller’s visibility efforts, and Allison Guth’s family life all contribute to a larger narrative of acceptance and encouragement.
From Sherri Murrell’s groundbreaking disclosure at Portland State to Curt Miller’s appreciation of his partner upon joining Indiana University, these leaders have paved the way for future generations.
College basketball remains a dynamic space for LGBTQ+ visibility and support, and we celebrate the players and coaches who continue to drive inclusion and acceptance in sports.
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