AWSMNow: The Rainbow Ceiling, a conversation about homosexuality in sports

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Thanks for the Association for Women in Sports Media for sending this along.

In commemoration of Pride month, the Association for Women in Sports Media is proud to present “The Rainbow Ceiling, a conversation about homosexuality in sports” as part of the AWSMNow series of free monthly webinars.

The culture of homophobia that’s rampant in sports has made it hard for gay athletes to be out. In female sports specifically, women have always dealt with the stereotype that most athletic women are lesbians. Ironically, an unaccepting sports culture and the fear of repercussion, such as negative recruiting practices from other coaches, has made it hard for many gay women to be out.

In recent months, several male athletes and administrators in sports have taken steps toward creating a more accepting environment for homosexuality in sports. Phoenix Suns president Rick Welts came out in May in an effort to breach this ceiling, and New York Rangers hockey player Sean Avery, and former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan have both endorsed same-sex marriage in New York.

Female athletes have remained largely silent throughout this whole discussion, perhaps another indication that the rainbow ceiling, and a culture of fear, is still very much in place in sports today.

In this hour-long webinar, we hope to examine the issue of why the field of athletics remains one in which coaches and athletes feel the need to stay closeted.  Why is it still a stigma, why aren't there more "out" athletes? Why do coaches still feel the need to hide their sexuality, and is all this secrecy still necessary in today's society? What would it take to change this climate?

The panelists include:

--Pat Griffin, project director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s “Changing the Game – an initiative to make K-12 sports and PE a safer and more inclusive environment for kids regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

-- Former Belmont (Tenn.) University women’s soccer coach Lisa Howe, who was fired after coming out to Belmont’s administrators.

-- Olympic medalist and former Team USA softball player Lauren Lappin, an out athlete.

-- Portland (Ore.) State University’s Sherri Murrell, the only openly gay Division I women’s college basketball coach.

-- ESPN.com women’s basketball writer Mechelle Voepel

We invite you to join us for this hour-long discussion online on Mon. June 27, 1 p.m. EST. Come ready with questions. The webinar is free, but pre-registration is required at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/317109862. Attendance in limited to100 participants to register early to save your spot.

If you have advance questions that you’d like to ask during the session, you could also get in the queue early by emailing[email protected] or tweeting us at AWSM_sportmedia. Include #AWSMNow.

Details At A Glance:
What: AWSMNow June webinar: The Rainbow Ceiling, a conversation about homosexuality in sports
Who:
--Pat Griffin, project director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s “Changing the Game – an initiative to make K-12 sports and PE a safer and more inclusive environment for kids regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

-- Former Belmont (Tenn.) University women’s soccer coach Lisa Howe, who was fired after coming out to Belmont’s administrators.

-- Olympic medalist and former Team USA softball player Lauren Lappin, an out athlete.

-- Portland (Ore.) State University’s Sherri Murrell, the only openly gay Division I women’s college basketball coach.

-- ESPN.com women’s basketball writer Mechelle Voepel

When: Monday, June 27, 1-2 p.m. EST

Where: www.gotowebinar.com

How to sign up: 
Attendance is limited to 100 participants, so register early to save your spot.

Just register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/317109862.

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• College
• Discrimination/Title IX
• High School
• Student-Athlete
• LGBT

This article was written by a WomenTalkSports.com contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own women's sports content.

View mhueter's Full Profile