Che Flores makes history as first transgender and nonbinary NBA official

Che Flores, an NBA referee, has bravely come out as the first openly transgender and nonbinary official in the country.

Using they/them pronouns, Flores made their groundbreaking announcement in an interview with GQ, just before the commencement of the 2023-24 NBA season.

For Flores, this declaration is not just a personal milestone but a symbol of progress and inclusion in professional sports.

The revelation empowers them to express their true self through fashion without fear of societal expectations.

In their own words, "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."

One particularly poignant aspect of this journey is Flores' emancipation from the discomfort of being misgendered, an experience they candidly described as "a little jab in the gut."

Their coming out serves as a powerful testament to the importance of authenticity and self-expression.

While some NBA executives were already aware of Flores' identity, the official publicly shared their truth during preseason meetings last month, solidifying their place in history as the first openly transgender and nonbinary referee in U.S. professional sports.

Entering their second season as a staff referee, Flores takes great pride in being a visible role model for young queer individuals, emphasizing that their journey is about proving that "we can exist, we can be successful in all different ways."

Before their tenure in the NBA, Flores spent 13 years officiating NCAA games, including the Women's Final Four in 2019 and the 2021 NCAA Women's National Championship Game. Their story serves as a beacon of progress and acceptance, showing that diversity and inclusion are essential components of the sports world.