NBA Referee Che Flores Comes Out as First Transgender, Nonbinary Official in Professional US Sports

Flores expresses hope that their public identity will provide a beacon for younger queer kids and contribute to increased visibility and representation in professional sports.

Che Flores became the first out transgender and nonbinary referee in U.S. professional sports, breaking barriers and making history in the process.
Flores, who has served as a referee in the NBA for two seasons, disclosed their identity publicly in a story published by GQ, a move they felt would enhance their comfort and authenticity on the job.
Top NBA executives had been aware of Flores's identity for several months, having learnt of it during preseason meetings last month.
Having also officiated in the WNBA and G League, Flores has emphasized the importance of their visibility for younger queer youth who might aspire to similar positions in high-profile sporting events.
Flores' career includes several high-profile refereeing roles spanning across the NCAA, G League, and WNBA; they also officiated in the Women’s Final Four in 2019 and the 2021 NCAA Women’s National Championship Game.