For transgender people, participating in sports is a complicated and often dangerous endeavor. While legislative attacks against trans young people participating on teams that align with their gender identities are ever increasing, trans adults also face challenges in participating in sports, even for fun. Recreational leagues are often gendered, forcing non-binary players to misgender themselves to participate and trans people to feel uncomfortable at best, unsafe at worst.
The Trans Liberation Basketball League (TLBL) is a space where transgender athletes don’t have to worry about this. The collectively run, DIY league has been a safe space for trans people of all athletic abilities to connect and compete since 2023.
The league was born out of the organizing energy around the Stop Cop City and similar activist movements.
“There was a lot of energy in Atlanta at the time of people trying to create things that they felt passionately about,” Santana, one of the players in the league, told Georgia Voice.
Thus, the collectivist mindset common among grassroots activism permeates the league. There is no hierarchy, and everybody looks out for one another. For the trans and non-binary people in the league, it’s more than a hobby: members share resources and protect one another, creating a safe space for everyone to be their full selves.
“I just wanted a space where I could just be my free self and not have to code switch or have to diminish myself, make myself feel small to make other people feel confident,” Dee, another player, said. “…It’s a space where we can just be our free and true selves and not have to worry about safety, because we have people there who are going to protect us.”
With increasing attacks on transgender rights on the local and national scale and decreasing public support for the LGBTQ+ community, safety is a primary concern for trans people.
“The truth is that being social is not safe [as a trans person], particularly around strangers,” Miss Kay, another member of the league, said. “…But going to the Trans Basketball League, I can put my guard down. I can be relaxed and not have to worry about where the threat is.”
Related story: New Pilates classes create space for Atlanta’s queer community
While the TLBL represents safety and community for transgender Atlantans, it’s also an opportunity for members to simply have fun.
“People show up to feel joy,” Santana said, “that’s what they’re there for.”
The TLBL plays during the spring and fall on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The league consists of two divisions, a competitive structured division, and a casual division more akin to pick-up games for people who are wanted a less intensive experience.
Those who are interested in the competitive division will have to register before the season starts. Registration forms will be announced and made available through the group’s Instagram. All casual players have to do is show up.
Those who don’t want to play basketball at all can still join the league, whether as an organizer, administrator, referee, scorekeeper, medic, or another capacity relevant to their skills. If you want to join, TLBL will have you.
More information about the Trans Liberation Basketball League can be found on Instagram.
