Hudson Taylor is a three-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler and Columbia University coach. He is the first three-time All-American in the University of Maryland’s wrestling history and holds several hall-of-fame records. Hudson’s career places him among the top-five pinners in NCAA history. He is currently training to compete internationally with an eye toward the Olympic Games.

Hudson, a heterosexual athlete and a committed LGBT advocate, is determined to eliminate homophobia in sports. After wearing a gay rights sticker on his wrestling headgear during competitions, The Advocate named Hudson one of the “Top 150 Reasons to Have Gay Pride in 2010.” He has also been featured on ESPN as a leading LGBT ally and called “the most exciting wrestler in the world” by Sports Illustrated. In March 2011, PFLAG also awarded Hudson with the “Straight for Equality in Sports” Award at their 3rd Annual Gala in New York City.

In December 2010 Hudson founded Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging athletes, coaches, parents, fans and other members of the sports community to respect all individuals involved in sports, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Through social networking campaigns, on-campus trainings and additional practical tools, Athlete Ally encourages athletes, coaches and others to eliminate all forms of homophobia in sports. As a guest lecturer and keynote speaker at schools and colleges across the country, Hudson emphasizes the athlete’s responsibility to lead in the fight for respect and inclusion in sports. Hudson has been featured live on MSNBC with Thomas Roberts to discuss Athlete Ally and the organization’s mission to challenge homophobia in sports.

In addition to his work with Athlete Ally, Hudson serves on the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Sport’s Project Advisory Board, led by Dr. Pat Griffin, Professor Emeritus in the Social Justice Education Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This initiative works with K-12 schools to create an athletic environment that encourages respect, safety and inclusion for all students and coaches.

Hudson is also authoring a book entitled, The Athlete Ally: Empowering a New Era of Leadership and Inclusion in Sports. A work in progress, The Athlete Ally will inspire and guide coaches, athletes, administrators, fans and parents to redefine sportsmanship and what it means to be an athlete and a leader.

Hudson draws inspiration for his advocacy from his great-great-great grandfather James Hudson Taylor, a 19th century British Protestant missionary to China who converted more than 18,000 people to Christianity. As a result of this lineage, LGBT-affirming Christian groups have turned to Hudson to discuss the intersection of respect and inclusion for LGBT individuals with Christian moral principles.

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