Harrison Browne was part of history last year as a member of the Buffalo Beauts, one of four teams competing in the inaugural season of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL).
Now, before the second season of the NWHL begins, Browne is making history again as the first openly transgender athlete in North America professional team sports.
“I identify as a man,” Browne said in an interview with espnW on Friday. “My family is starting to come to grips with it, now it’s my time to be known as who I am, to be authentic and to hear my name said right when I get a point, or see my name on a website.”
Browne has been out to his coaches and teammates for a few years, but a few weeks ago he decided to make it official to the league by sending an e-mail to NWHL Commissioner, Dani Rylan.
He shared part of that letter with The Ice Garden:
I am interested in coming out in the league as transgender. I will not be legally changing my name or beginning a physical transition until after I conclude my career in the NWHL. I will be playing in the exact condition that I did last season, just under a new name while using male pronouns. I would feel most comfortable being addressed via the media, roster, during games, and any PR as Harrison Browne versus Hailey Browne along with using all male pronouns versus female pronouns.
Browne said the league and his teammates have been nothing but supportive, and while he looks forward to eventually making a physical transition, for now the 23-year-old is focused on enjoying his pro hockey career.
Only 13 days until opening night! But, less than 1 day until #PreseasonPuck! pic.twitter.com/4p3DWbH5rl
— Buffalo Beauts (@BuffaloBeauts) September 24, 2016
“It’s a performance enhancer, testosterone,” Browne told Puck Daddy when asked why he was putting off making the medical transition. “I played in college and NCAA rules were that I couldn’t have any [added] testosterone in my body. I just assumed the NWHL would have the same kind of thing.
“It’s always been that after I finish hockey then I’ll begin my physical transition.”
For now, just being open and honest with the public is literally a game changer. He can’t wait to score his first goal and hear the announcer call him “Harrison,” and hopes that he can inspire others to be their true selves.
“It’s going to be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I’m going to be taking that mask off and everyone is going to see me for my authentic self,” he said. “I can’t wait for that. Not only for me, but also for anybody that’s going through this as well. To see someone overcome any obstacles that they might be overcoming and they can realize that they can do it, too.”
An earlier version of this article said that Browne was the first openly transgender athlete in North American pro sports. That was actually Renée Richards, the transgender woman who played on the WTA from 1976 to 1981. Browne is the first athlete in a North American team sport to come out as transgender.