Sport

Basketball star Layshia Clarendon felt wave of ‘gender euphoria’ after first seeing their chest ‘free of breasts’

Layshia Clarendon: Basketball star felt 'gender euphoria' after top surgery

Layshia Clarendon said they felt freedom and euphoria after having top surgery. (Instagram/LayshiaC)

Basketball player Layshia Clarendon has described the euphoria they felt after having top surgery amid a wave of support from professional sports organisations.

The trans non-binary Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player, who is currently New York Liberty guard, shared on Friday (29 January) that they had had a gender-affirming surgery.

“Freedom at last,” Clarendon posted on Instagram, with four topless photos of them in a hospital room, wearing a mask after having top surgery.

“It’s hard to put into words the feeling of seeing my chest for the first time free of breasts, seeing my chest the way I’ve always seen it, and feeling a sense of gender euphoria as opposed to gender ⁣dysphoria,” they said.

“I’m usually not scared to share news publicly but the amount of hate, myths and ignorance surrounding trans and non-binary people’s existence actually had me debating sharing this joy. I want trans people to know and see that we’ve always existed and no one can erase us! ⁣
⁣
“I want people to remember that my freedom is your freedom because none of us are free until we are all free!!!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Layshia Clarendon (@layshiac)

The league, the players’ union and the New York Liberty have all released statements offering their support to Clarendon after their top surgery, according to Sky Sports.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said: “Layshia’s story is one of inspiration and courage, and as a takeaway from the emotional conversation we shared recently, my hope is that the WNBA’s full support will extend far beyond this league.”

“We are so proud that Layshia is part of the WNBA and we know that their voice and continued advocacy will not only support and help honour and uplift many other non-binary and trans people, but also encourage empathy and understanding for the community across all levels of sport.”

Clarendon has played in the WNBA for eight years. They first publicly stated that they are “non-cisgender” five years ago.

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