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Trans Women Need More Allies Like NBA's Reggie Bullock

Reggie Bullock

The Detroit Pistons player outlined a playbook for allyship in his speech at the GLAAD Awards.

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Reggie Bullock "will do anything" to help transgender women.

The small forward for the Detroit Pistons made a commitment to advancing LGBT equality at the GLAAD Media Awards Saturday in New York City. Introduced by trans actresses Amiyah Scott (Star) and Angelica Ross, Bullock delivered a speech that honored his trans sister, Mia Henderson, who was killed in 2014.

"And after she was murdered, I knew I had to use my platform to help Mia and women like her," Bullock told the crowd. "I will do anything, go to any event, any parade, talk in any locker room about acceptance. I want the world to see what acceptance looks like, and hear that message from a straight guy, a professional athlete. Guess what -- athletes have voices and we should be able to stand up for what we believe in. Am I right?"

Since 2014, Bullock has emerged as a major ally in the world of professional sports. He has spoken out against anti-LGBT language in locker rooms and asked the NCAA to adopt trans-inclusive policies. In a Friday interview with The Advocate, Bullock discussed one of his major goals, which is to make professional sports a more welcoming place for LGBT athletes.

"If they're just as good or can compete at the same level as I can, let the person compete," he said. "That's probably the biggest thing that I would like to see in sports -- try to integrate throughout" and "getting people more comfortable" with out players.

To this end, Bullock has proposed introducing rainbow jerseys within the National Basketball Association as a means of showing LGBT solidarity. He also tattooed "LGBTQ" and his sister's name on his leg to honor her memory.

Watch his speech at the GLAAD Awards below.

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Daniel Reynolds

Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.
Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.