Who Is The Intersex Player In The WNBA? Exploring Inclusivity In Women's Basketball

Cynthia Konopelski 23 Aug 2025

The Women's National Basketball Association, or WNBA as many know it, often stands out as a beacon of acceptance and diverse representation in professional sports, which is really something special. With the 2025 WNBA draft, and the fab orange carpet fits, in the rear view mirror, and the new season underway, people are naturally curious about all the players who bring their whole selves to the court. This league, it seems, has a history of welcoming athletes from various walks of life, and that includes those who identify as LGBTQ+.

This interest in player identities sometimes leads folks to wonder about specific groups, like intersex athletes, and whether they are represented in the league. It's a good question, really, and one that speaks to a broader wish for sports to reflect the wide range of human experiences we see every day. People want to know, quite simply, who is the intersex player in the WNBA, if there is one.

Well, to get right to it, the information available about specific intersex players in the WNBA is not directly out there, so it's a bit of a mystery. The league has, however, made significant strides in being a very open and welcoming space for many different identities, especially for transgender and nonbinary athletes, which is a related but distinct topic. This article will look into what we do know about the WNBA's approach to inclusivity and what "intersex" actually means.

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Understanding Intersex Identities
The WNBA's Stance on LGBTQ+ Inclusion
- Layshia Clarendon: A Pioneer
- A League Full of Out Players
Policies and Privacy in the WNBA
Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Intersex Identities

Before we look at the WNBA, it's pretty helpful to understand what "intersex" means, so we're all on the same page. Intersex is a general term, you know, used for a variety of situations where a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that just doesn't quite fit the typical boxes of "female" or "male." It's not about sexual orientation, that's a different thing entirely. Intersex refers to the experiences of people born with a body that does not fit within the normative social construct of male and female, which, in some respects, is a very important distinction to make.

People who are intersex have reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit into an exclusively male or female, or binary, sex classification, which is actually more common than many might think. Intersex traits might be apparent when a person’s body develops in ways that are not typically male or female. You might think that people can be born only as either males or females, but in fact, lots of people are born with a blend of male and female traits, and we call this being “intersex.” It happens more often than some might realize, too.

Intersex people are those born with any of several sex characteristics, including chromosome patterns, gonads, or genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, just don't fit typical definitions. Intersex is an older term for differences of sex development (DSD), and DSD means a person does not have physical attributes indicating only a male or female biological sex. These are natural variations in human bodies, and they are a part of human diversity, basically.

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The WNBA's Stance on LGBTQ+ Inclusion

The WNBA has truly positioned itself as a very strongly inclusive league when it comes to LGBTQ+ athletes and gender identity issues, which is really something to appreciate. The league has a significant LGBTQ+ presence, with, for example, 36 players identified as such in one season. This open environment is something that many players and coaches have responded to with overwhelming positivity, especially regarding inclusive policies around transgender and nonbinary athletes, which is a good sign.

Many players in the WNBA are also outspoken advocates for social justice and equality, which is a powerful thing. Their collective voice often champions broader human rights, and this inherently includes the rights and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. This commitment to speaking up for what is right makes the league a welcoming place for many, and that's a positive aspect, you know.

Layshia Clarendon: A Pioneer

When we talk about gender identity and the WNBA, Layshia Clarendon, a Los Angeles Sparks guard, really stands out as a very significant example. Layshia made history as the first transgender player in WNBA history, which is a huge step forward. During the bubble season in 2020, they decided to step forward and talk to the league about transitioning, which must have taken a lot of courage. Layshia Clarendon is the women’s national basketball league’s first openly trans and nonbinary player, and that's a big deal for representation.

There has been at least one notable transgender athlete who participated in the WNBA, and Layshia Clarendon stands out as the most significant example, clearly. Their story shows the league's capacity for acceptance and support for players who are true to themselves. Kayla Ward, for instance, is another athlete ally ambassador who hopes to break barriers as the WNBA's first trans player, showing a continued push for more representation, too.

A League Full of Out Players

The WNBA is actually quite loaded with out LGBTQ+ star players, and that's a fact that brings a lot of pride to many fans. In the 2024 WNBA season, there are 42 out and proud LGBTQ+ players spread across the 12 basketball teams, which is a really impressive number. From Brittney Griner to Sydney Colson, the WNBA has numerous out LGBTQ+ players, and there is usually one per team to root for, which is pretty cool.

The league has become home to some of the most prominent queer icons in American sports, including Sue Bird, Candace Parker, and Layshia Clarendon. Sue Wicks became the first openly gay active player in the WNBA when she came out in 2002, just before she retired from the league, which was a pioneering moment, really. The WNBA has been busy making headlines for rising in popularity, having rookie players that are breaking records, and being extremely queer, which, you know, makes it a vibrant place.

The WNBA finals were in full swing, and the lesbians were playing to win, as one observation put it, which, you know, speaks to the visibility and success of these athletes. It's impossible to know every player's identity, but the overall atmosphere of acceptance is quite clear. Learn more about LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports on our site, for instance, to see how deep this commitment runs.

Policies and Privacy in the WNBA

When it comes to intersex athletes specifically, the available information from the text suggests there is no direct information about the WNBA's specific policies regarding intersex athletes and gender testing requirements. This means that while the league is very inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities, details about intersex-specific policies are not publicly detailed, which is something to consider. It's a bit of an unknown area, you know, in terms of official statements.

The privacy of athletes is a very important thing, and that's generally respected across professional sports. Personal medical information, including details about one's sex characteristics, is often private. So, even if there were an intersex player in the WNBA, their identity would likely remain private unless they chose to share it themselves, which is their right, basically. This is why it's difficult to answer "who is the intersex player in the WNBA" with a specific name, because, quite simply, that information isn't out there for the public.

The WNBA's broader approach to inclusivity, however, does create an environment where a player with intersex traits would hopefully feel supported and accepted, should they choose to play in the league. The league's track record with transgender and nonbinary players, like Layshia Clarendon, shows a willingness to adapt and embrace diversity. This openness, in a way, sets a good example for other sports organizations, too.

So, while the question "who is the intersex player in the WNBA" doesn't have a direct answer with a specific name, the context of the league's strong support for LGBTQ+ athletes, and its general stance on inclusivity, is quite clear. The WNBA, it seems, continues to be a space where many different identities can thrive, and that, in some respects, is a very positive message for everyone involved. Explore the WNBA's history of advocacy here, for more information on their commitment to social justice and equality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an intersex player in the WNBA?
Based on the available information, there is no direct public information identifying a specific intersex player in the WNBA. The league has not made specific policies regarding intersex athletes and gender testing requirements publicly known, which is something to keep in mind.

What does intersex mean?
Intersex is a general term for people born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit typical male or female patterns. This can include variations in chromosomes, gonads, or genitals. It's a natural variation in human bodies, not about sexual orientation, actually.

How inclusive is the WNBA for LGBTQ+ athletes?
The WNBA is very inclusive of LGBTQ+ athletes, with many out players, including transgender and nonbinary athletes like Layshia Clarendon. The league is known for its strong support of social justice and equality, creating a welcoming environment for a diverse range of identities, which is pretty great.