Harrison Browne is the first openly transgender athlete on a professional sports team in the United States. Formerly a player of University of Maine women’s hockey, last year, Harrison Browne played for the Buffalo Beauts, one of the four teams in the National Women’s Hockey League. He netted 12 points in the NWHL’s inaugural season. Now, Browne will be playing for the Buffalo Beauts for the 2016-2017 season identifying as male.

Browne, commonly known as Brownie, came out as the first openly transgender athlete involved in professional sports on Friday. Harrison stated that it had become too much to see and hear himself be mis-named and mis-gendered on rosters, articles, and announcements. Harrison also stated that he wanted to be true to himself by coming out to the public and media.

For the first time, on October 8^th, Browne heard his name and his correct pronouns announced over the P.A system as he took the ice and again when he scored in the Beauts game against the Pride.

Browne has been out to family, friends, teammates, and coaches for a while, so nothing really changed in the locker room. However, Browne knows that while many people are and will be supportive of him, there will be some who are not.

While Harrison does identify as male, he will not begin the medical transition as of yet due to NWHL rules surrounding its anti-doping policy. However, the league is in the works of creating new policies that are inclusive for both trans men and women.

As the first openly transgender athlete in professional sports, Harrison has opened the door for other athletes who may identify as transgender to come forward. Browne has become a role model, someone for other trans athletes to look up to, as there are few openly out trans athletes. Browne becomes the first openly transgender athlete in professional sports. Hopefully there will be other members of the trans community who will feel safe to do so in the future. It is a small step forward in equality and fairness for members of the trans community. Thank you, Harrison.