We're not even halfway through the year and already 2013 has been filled with some of the most shocking, heartwarming, disappointing and insightful headlines ever in regards to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes. From Jason Collins, Robbie Rogers and Brittney Griner coming out to straight allies Brendon Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe continuing to speak out on behalf of the LGBT community, we've seen a lot shake down in just over five months.
So, with so much going on in the world of LGBT sports, what better time for the second annual Nike LGBT Sports Summit in Portland, Oregon?
Sports leaders, the media and advocacy groups are preparing to meet next week at the sports giant's headquarters for the second annual installment of the supportive alliance created to combat anti-LGBT bias in sports.
The event, founded by Outsports.com's Cyd Zeigler, the National Center for Lesbian Rights Sports Project Director Helen Carroll and LGBT sports pioneer Pat Griffin, takes place June 12-15 and will include college and professional athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, political figures, LGBT advocates, journalists and more.
In a press release sent to HuffPost Gay Voices, it was revealed that the group will work towards creating the LGBT Sports Coalition, a framework to unite the movement toward equality in sports with one goal: Ending anti-LGBT bias in sports by 2016.
“It’s been incredible to watch the sea change in sports on LGBT issues in the last year,” said Zeigler. “The advances we’ve seen haven’t been accidents but the result of the very deliberate efforts by coalition members to make sports more welcoming to all fans, employees, and athletes.”
Griffin believes that recognition of the coalition will accentuate the work that needs to be done. “Recognizing our coalition formally will enhance the work we must accomplish together."
It has been confirmed that representatives from organizations such as GLAAD, United States Olympic Committee, It Gets Better, NCAA, Athlete Ally, USA Wrestling, ESPN and others will be attending.
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