Twenty years ago, it wouldn't have even been a thought, not a blip on the radar, not even a consideration. Does that mean they didn't exist? Has something changed in our culture to suddenly open the closet door? Why now?
Despite ignorant viewpoints, #gay athletes have existed for years, yes even before most ever heard of a #gay athletes when Jason Collins took the heroic step out of the closet. When I say gay, of course I mean #LGBTQ. Yes women were lesbians, men were gay, both were bisexual and transgender, and everyone was queer. This has been a constant throughout time, the only actually change is that sports are finally welcoming and embracing #LGBTQ athletes and coaches rather than shunning them.
So why now? Yes, the #Gay Rights movement is surging and has gained incredible ground since the trailblazing Supreme Court decisions in the Summer of 2013; however, that isn't the sole player on this team of progress. Now more than ever before, athletes, coaches, and fans are supporting inclusion over exclusion, and are pushing their favorite leagues and teams in the direction of equality and acceptance. #LGBTQ advocates and activists are playing an integral role, but athletes and coaches themselves are realizing that no longer can sports be a venue where people are afraid to be themselves.
Over the course of this blog I hope to inspire action, motivation, and passion. There has been progress, but we still have much room for growth with including people of all sexual orientations and gender identities into various sporting venues. Human rights' movements have historically never been accomplished by one person, organization, or leader - but rather by a joint effort of activists who demand better. As a good friend always tells me, progress isn't measured by the movement from one extreme to another, but rather by movement in a new and more helpful direction. We are progressing, you can be assured of that - now it's time to keep running forward.
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