Che Flores has become the first openly nonbinary and transgender referee in the NBA, according to a story published by GQ. Flores is entering their second season as an NBA staff referee, after having worked 35 games last season. They also worked 12 games as a nonstaff official during the 2021-22 season.
In an interview with GQ, Flores shared that being misgendered as she/her in the past felt like a jab in the gut. They expressed that coming out as nonbinary has allowed them to feel more comfortable in their job and in the world.
While some NBA executives were already aware of Flores’ identity, many of their colleagues learned about it during preseason meetings last month. Flores has been officiating games for about a decade in both the G League and the WNBA, and has worked major basketball events such as the G League Finals, the WNBA Finals, and the NCAA women’s national championship game.
Flores hopes that their visibility as a high-profile referee will inspire young queer kids and let them know that they can be successful in any way they choose.
