Dee Mosbacher and Fawn Yawker, the producers of the outstanding video documentary, Training Rules, are at it again. They asked if I would post the following on my blog: The producers of a web campaign and video project in progress - The Last Closet - are searching for a young gay athlete (Jr. High … [Read more...]
Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King Blast Fellow Tennis Legend Margaret Court
Tennis champions Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova have slammed comments made by Australian tennis legend Margaret Court, who last week condemned the push for marriage equality, saying she wanted to “protect families”. Court, who is the founder and senior pastor at the Pentecostal … [Read more...]
Reflections on the Death of a Young Black Lesbian Athlete
It is difficult to put my white, middle class, middle-aged and lesbian feet in the basketball shoes of a young black lesbian athlete from the projects. I know nothing about what Tayshana Murphy’s life was like. I do know something about keeping secrets. I hid my own lesbian identity for … [Read more...]
Why We Need State and Federal Non-Discrimination Laws That Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Sorry for the clunky title, but I couldn’t figure out another way to get the point across in a snappy clever way in fewer words. Nikki Williams has been teaching geography for three years and was an assistant volleyball at a public charter school just outside Dallas, TX for three years. She … [Read more...]
Massachusetts Adds Transgender Protection to Anti-Discrimination Laws
In my home state of Massachusetts, the legislature recently added a prohibition against discrimination on the basis of gender identity to anti-discrimination laws that cover education. Gender identity is defined int he law to mean "a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, … [Read more...]
Respect. Just Do It. Swooshing Toward An LGBT Inclusive Sports World
Last spring just after GLSEN launched Changing the Game, our new sports project, I got an email from Edward Tylicki from Nike. Edward is a member of Nike's LGBT and Friends Network. Edward sought me out as director for the Sports Project because he wanted to know how Nike could support Changing … [Read more...]
NCAA Adopts Trans-Inclusive Policy
The NCAA announced a policy yesterday that clarifies their position on the participation of transgender student-athletes in sex-separated sports. The policy is largely based on recommendations included in On The Team: Equal Opportunities for Transgender Student-Athletes, which I am proud to have … [Read more...]
NCAA Adopts Policy for Including Transgender Athletes
The NCAA has approved a policy to govern athletics participation by transgender athletes who have transitioned to another sex. The new rule, which takes immediate effect, allows a transgender athlete who has transitioned from male to female to participate in women's sports after one year of hormone … [Read more...]
Heads Up Academics - Call for Papers: The Athletic Issue
Call for Proposals, Special Issue of GLQ: The Athletic Issue Jennifer Locke, Black/White (2009) … [Read more...]
SMU Settles Lawsuit with Former Women’s Basketball Player
Here is a news report on the conclusion of a lawsuit I first wrote about in September, 2008. You can see that blog post here for more specific information about the former player's allegations. The university and coach Rompola will not comment and the university claims it did nothing wrong in this … [Read more...]