When you’re around the sport of basketball long enough, you began to see how it helps foster friendships, relationships, and more. Women’s basketball is very similar to a sorority. Everyone knows everyone or one is just a person away. This story gave me true meaning not only because I am an avid WNBA fan but because I have built relationships with current WNBA players from playing with and competing against them. Just to name a few: Natasha Cloud, Izzy Harrison, Nalyssa Smith, and Dijonai Carrington. These aren’t just names I’m writing about they’re people I have connected with, shared nightlife, relationship secrets, and. When focusing on the final project I decided to build on same-sex relationships within the game and I knew exactly who to hit up to understand the thought process of this new dynamic. You see, the game of basketball wasn’t always accepting of same-sex relationships. At least not openly.

I must say the WNBA has been ahead of its time when dealing with representation of the LGBTQ athletes however a bit hush due to the world not being as welcoming to gender conforming. Graduating from Indiana 2012 over a decade ago players where secretive in their personal life. Players were careful to post, careful in fashion choices, even keeping their partners out of the spotlight. Times have changed. We now see athletes showing their partners off openly, celebrating their wins by kiss shares, traveling midseason to their partners on the opposite team compete, and even using social media to show personal vacations. Kudos to the bravery. 

When starting to write this story it came to me how important visibility for the athletes are. Growing up, it was tough to see women who looked like you. Women who you admire living and openly living their truths with a confidence. This new generation displays that. This is what my colleagues spoke about.

Natasha Cloud, has been one of the biggest advocates politically and socially, didn’t hold back when we talked. “Being honest about who I am is the only way I know how to move,” she told me. “The more we hide, the more the younger generation feels like they have to hide too. I’m not doing that.”  To me that was classic Natasha Cloud standing for what she truly believes in.

Her partner, Izzy Harrison whom many see as a late in life lesbian shared something that stuck with me as well. She said, “We used to see people scared to be themselves in sports. I’m glad that’s changing. It makes this league feel like home.” Izzy has always had a firm in her confidence but this is new for her.

A big part of this story is how players balance their relationships with the demands of being professional athletes. People see the highlights and the outfits and the game-day photos. It’s deeper than that. These players especially on different teams have many travel days, media, body treatments, outside commitments, and still having to perform. It’s hard for any relationship, but for players who date within the league, it adds another layer.

That’s something Nalyssa Smith and Dijonai Carrington spoke about it. I’ve known both of them since they were younger. We started in the supplemental WNBA league, Athletes Unlimited. A young couple, very much in love are now they’re one of the most visible couples in women’s basketball and they are blossoming. 

Dijonai said, “People forget that we’re human. We deal with the same stuff everybody else does. We just do it in front of thousands of people.” If you know Dijonai, you know she’s always been honest like that. No sugarcoating, just the truth.

Nalyssa added something that made me smile because it’s so her. She said, “ Having a human that understands what I do because they do the same. Our job is taxing so it helps to have somebody that gets it.” That balance is powerful to me. 

Now, in the midst of my project I decided to outsource others outside of the league. Illinois women’s basketball is a team I have been covering a one staff member told me what it means to see players like Natasha, Izzy, Nalyssa, and Dijonai be open about their relationships.

One of the players, unmentioned as they are still amateurs told me they follow both Dijonai and Nalyssa on social media. Stating that they are happy basketball creates a safe space for us all.

I’ve actually used Natasha Cloud’s journey and how she leads both on and off the court. People are taking notice and it is leaving a true impact. Leadership is important. The couples are displaying to the younger athletes how to move through the league within the sport and world that has not always had a place for the LGBTQ athletes. 

I also spent a lot of time thinking about how different things used to be. When I played, a lot of conversations about relationships stayed quiet. You didn’t want things getting messy in the locker room. You didn’t want people making assumptions about you. There were old “unwritten rules” around teammates dating that honestly caused more fear than anything else. 

I spoke to Natasha about the shift, and she said, “Children need to be able to see us in a light where they can be brave.”. Sports should never make you hide yourself.” She is not wrong. For too long, the sports world made LGBTQ+ athletes feel like they had to choose between their personal life and visibility in their career. 

Her partner Izzy shared the same sentiments. She said, “The WNBA is full of strong women. The love factor is just an addition.” That line stayed with me as I finished writing because it captures exactly what this story is about.

As I conclude, this is not just about same sex relationships. It’s about how the league has grown. How the world is more accepting. There is a real shift in the culture and little girls who feel different can see people like them on the big stage. 

These athletes don’t owe anyone their personal lives. Yet, by sharing them, even just a little, they make space for people who might feel alone. They show that you can be a professional athlete, a partner, a leader, and fully yourself at the same time.

This piece made me proud. Proud in a sense that I realize the younger generation are able to be more open it is liberating to see.