Stephen Alexander never knew he'd be "the first" or considered a pioneer in the world of sports. Now, his name (not by birth) will be ingrained in sports history forever ... because of his gender. Around the world we are seeing the transgender rights revolution, with more human beings coming out as trans than ever before. What makes Stephen special then? He is the first high school athletic coach to be out as transgender in the United States.
We continue to see and hear about firsts ... Jason Collins, Robbie Rogers, Billie Jean King to name a few. Does it even matter anymore? Is there real significance to being the first anything LGBT anymore since society, at least in the USA, has become so progressive? The answer is yes, absolutely yes. In a little conservative town in Glocester, R.I., Stephen is making a world of difference.
The distinction of Stephen's coming out relates to the audience he serves - youth, specially perceptible high schoolers. These are the individuals who are arguably in the most critical stage of mental and emotional growth and are developing their own opinions and thoughts. To have your high school sports coach come out as LGBT and moreover transgender, it effects you, it hits you hard.
Stephen is changing American and humanity, one small bit at a time. He is pushing the ticker of progress that much further down the road towards 100% equality for all. He is influencing the minds of adolescents in a positive manner. Stephen is illustrating through action that you can be LGBT and still be a damn good athlete, or even a coach.
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