B.C. trans basketball player speaks out about verbal, physical mistreatment [Video]

Basketball was Harriette Mackenzie’s safe space growing up.

She knew from an early age that she was different, and the court was where she could escape.

“I didn’t have a lot of times when I didn’t feel very burdened or sad. And I remember basketball was just a place that was an outlet,” Mackenzie told The Canadian Press. “It was nice to be good at something, I guess.”

“Now a star player at Vancouver Island University, in Nanaimo, B.C., Mackenzie is speaking up about the treatment she says she’s received as a transgender athlete, hoping her voice and experience can create a safe space for other

The six-foot-two, 21-year-old forward took to social media earlier this week to detail what happened during and after a pair of home games against Columbia Bible College.

“I’m proud of my story. And I want to make something very clear — queer, trans and nonbinary people belong in sport,” she said in …