Supporting The LGBTQ+ Sports Community Year-Round
Pride 2023 was one for the books! Athletes for Hope had so much fun this year celebrating with LGBTQ+ athletes, allies and organizations.
As Pride 2023 comes to a close, the fight for equality and inclusion in sports doesn’t stop. We have rounded up five organizations and programs that were founded for the LGBTQ+ sports community and its allies that you can support all year long.
No matter where you are at in your journey, there is education, resources, and advocacy work for all!
Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Their mission is to end homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
Website: https://www.athleteally.org
NCLR – Sports Project
The National Center for Lesbian Rights “Sports Project” aims to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender players, coaches, and administrators receive fair and equal treatment—free of discrimination.
Founded in 2001, the Sports Project has litigated cases on behalf of LGBTQ athletes and coaches, advised schools and athletic associations, and convened key coalitions to combat homophobia and transphobia in sports.
Website: https://www.nclrights.org/our-work/discrimination/sports/
You Can Play Project
The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans. This becomes possible when sports teams sharpen the focus on the person’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
You Can Play seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by developing a culture of respect, in every player, coach, and fan.
Website: https://www.youcanplayproject.org
GLESN- Changing the Game
The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network’s “Changing the Game” is a groundbreaking program that started in 2011 to give resources to educators and students to ensure that physical education classes and athletics are inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals
LGBTQ+ affirming athletic policies can make a difference in students’ lives. When LGBTQ+ students are able to play sports and are accepted as classmates, teammates, and competitors, they gain access to the same physical, social, and emotional benefits extended to all who participate in sports.
Campus Pride
Campus Pride serves LGBTQ and ally student leaders and campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services to create safer, more inclusive LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support and give “voice and action” in building future LGBTQ and ally student leaders.
Campus Pride envisions campuses and a society free of anti-LGBTQ prejudice, bigotry and hate. It works to develop student leaders, campus networks, and future actions to create such positive change.
Website: https://www.campuspride.org