FEED Validator

Congratulations!

This is a valid RSS feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

• line 32, column 0: description should not contain data-wpel-link attribute (20 occurrences) [help]

  <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094078/dewanna-bo ...
  

• line 34, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-wpel-link attribute (169 occurrences) [help]

  										<content:encoded><![CDATA[
  

• line 75, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-adbridg-ad-class attribute (45 occurrences) [help]

• line 82, column 0: content:encoded should not contain script tag (15 occurrences) [help]

• line 111, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-instgrm-captioned attribute (3 occurrences) [help]

• line 111, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-instgrm-permalink attribute (5 occurrences) [help]

• line 111, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-instgrm-version attribute (5 occurrences) [help]

• line 111, column 0: style attribute contains potentially dangerous content: background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); (172 occurrences) [help]

• line 111, column 0: Non-html tag: svg (25 occurrences) [help]

• line 304, column 0: content:encoded should not contain aria-hidden attribute (16 occurrences) [help]

• line 400, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-width attribute (6 occurrences) [help]

  <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter w ...
  

• line 400, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-dnt attribute (6 occurrences) [help]

  <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter w ...
  

• line 614, column 0: content:encoded should not contain iframe tag [help]

  <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube  ...
  

• line 769, column 0: content:encoded should not contain data-conversation attribute (3 occurrences) [help]

• line 857, column 0: content:encoded should not contain controls attribute [help]

• line 881, column 0: content:encoded should not contain decoding attribute (6 occurrences) [help]

• line 881, column 0: content:encoded should not contain fetchpriority attribute [help]

• line 881, column 0: content:encoded should not contain sizes attribute (6 occurrences) [help]

• line 1136, column 0: content:encoded should not contain loading attribute (4 occurrences) [help]

Source: https://www.outsports.com/feed/

1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
2. xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
3. xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
4. xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
5. xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
6. xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
7. xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
8. >
9.  
10. <channel>
11. <title>Outsports</title>
12. <atom:link href="https://www.outsports.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
13. <link>https://www.outsports.com/</link>
14. <description>Courage is contagious</description>
15. <lastBuildDate>Sat, 18 May 2024 19:24:13 +0000</lastBuildDate>
16. <language>en-US</language>
17. <sy:updatePeriod>
18. hourly </sy:updatePeriod>
19. <sy:updateFrequency>
20. 1 </sy:updateFrequency>
21. <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2</generator>
22. <item>
23. <title>This WNBA scoring love triangle is perfectly WNBA</title>
24. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094078/dewanna-bonner-wnba-scoring-alyssa-thomas-candice-dupree/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dewanna-bonner-wnba-scoring-alyssa-thomas-candice-dupree</link>
26. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cyd Zeigler]]></dc:creator>
27. <pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2024 18:44:15 +0000</pubDate>
28. <category><![CDATA[wnba]]></category>
29. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24094078</guid>
30.  
31. <description><![CDATA[<p>DeWanna Bonner moved up a spot on the all-time WNBA scoring list, leaving her ex in the dust and her fiancee beaming.</p>
32. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094078/dewanna-bonner-wnba-scoring-alyssa-thomas-candice-dupree/" data-wpel-link="internal">This WNBA scoring love triangle is perfectly WNBA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
33. ]]></description>
34. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
35. <p><a href="https://www.outsports.com/2022/5/6/23057400/wnba-2022-season-out-lgbtq-players/" data-wpel-link="internal">DeWanna Bonner</a> is now No. 5 on the <a href="https://stats.wnba.com/alltime-leaders/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">all-time WNBA scoring list</a>. She made the jump up one spot earlier this week when she scored 20 points over Indiana, lifting her Connecticut Sun team to the in Caitlin Clark&#8217;s debut WNBA game.</p>
36.  
37.  
38.  
39. <p>It wasn&#8217;t lost on a lot of people whom she passed in her meteoric rise up that list, and who noticed.</p>
40.  
41.  
42.  
43. <p>Before this week, the fifth-ranked career scoring leader in the WNBA had been her former Phoenix Mercury teammate, Candice Dupree. Bonner and Dupree had been married for several years. Bonner even had children while the two were together.</p>
44.  
45.  
46.  
47. <p>The two split up at some point. </p>
48.  
49.  
50.  <blockquote>
51.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
52.    <p>
53.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
54.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
55.    </p>
56.  </blockquote>
57.  
58.  
59.  
60. <p>Now, <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/7/28/23811407/alyssa-thomas-dewanna-bonner-connecticut-sun-engaged-wedding-marriage/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bonner is engaged to marry her Sun teammate, Alyssa Thomas</a>. </p>
61.  
62.  
63.  
64. <p>Likely to celebrate her fiancee, and not looking to throw shade, Thomas was effusive about Bonner&#8217;s accomplishment.</p>
65.  
66.  
67.  
68. <p>&#8220;I think she&#8217;s underrated,&#8221; <a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/wnba/news-alyssa-thomas-hails-fiancee-dewanna-bonner-passing-ex-wife-candice-dupree-wnba-s-all-time-scoring-list" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Thomas said after Bonner&#8217;s big night</a>. &#8220;Top 5 all-time, I mean c&#8217;mon. That&#8217;s unheard of. At her age, she&#8217; incredible. We go off of her and she makes it look easy out there.&#8221;</p>
69.  
70.  
71.  
72. <p><a href="https://x.com/linzsports/status/1790558873545228530" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Lindsay Gibbs was all over</a> the dynamic.</p>
73.  
74.  
75.  
76.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
77.      </div>
78.  
79.  
80.  
81.  
82.  
83. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">dewanna bonner passed her ex-wife on the wnba&#39;s all-time leading scorer&#39;s list and then her fiance, her MVP-candidate teammate, got to talk about it on ESPN, there is nothing like women&#39;s sports</p>&mdash; Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/linzsports/status/1790558873545228530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
84.  
85.  
86.  <blockquote>
87.    <h3>Related</h3>
88.                <p>
89.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2022/5/6/23057400/wnba-2022-season-out-lgbtq-players/" data-wpel-link="internal">
90.                <strong>As WNBA tips off, 20% of players currently on rosters are LGBTQ and publicly out</strong>
91.              </a><br />
92.              1 in 5 WNBA players are publicly out as LGBTQ, possibly the highest of any pro league in the world, to kick off the 2022 season.            </p>
93.            </blockquote>
94.  
95.  
96.  
97. <p>Bonner is 36. She was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeWanna_Bonner#Personal_life" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">fifth overall pick</a> in the 2009 WNBA Draft out of Auburn. She&#8217;s been with the <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2022/9/15/23352953/curt-miller-wnba-gay-head-coach-connecticut-sun-finals-lgbtq-championship/" data-wpel-link="internal">Connecticut Sun</a> since 2020. She&#8217;s a five-time WNBA All-Star, including two of the last three seasons with the Sun.</p>
98.  
99.  
100.  
101. <p>Bonner and Auburn celebrated the accomplishment.</p>
102.  
103.  
104.  
105.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
106.      </div>
107.  
108.  
109.  
110.  
111.  
112. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7CUP10upw0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7CUP10upw0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7CUP10upw0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">A post shared by Auburn Women&#39;s Basketball (@auburnwbb)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
113.  
114.  
115.  
116. <p>Bonner is now only a couple hundred points behind No. 4 Tina Charles, and almost 500 points behind No. 3, Tamika Catchings. She is in the upper echelon of great WNBA scorers, no doubt.</p>
117.  
118.  
119.  
120. <p>Though there&#8217;s virtually no way she&#8217;ll reach the top of the list, <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2021/9/13/22670960/wnba-25-best-players-womens-basketball-lgbtq-w25/" data-wpel-link="internal">Diana Taurasi</a>, who is over 3,000 points ahead of Bonner. She would have to average 20 points per game over the next four seasons, even as Taurasi continues to add to her total, to have a shot. </p>
121.  
122.  
123.  
124. <p>Regardless, the &#8220;love triangle&#8221; involving these two great WNBA scorers, as well as a fiancee, is pure WNBA. </p>
125. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094078/dewanna-bonner-wnba-scoring-alyssa-thomas-candice-dupree/" data-wpel-link="internal">This WNBA scoring love triangle is perfectly WNBA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
126. ]]></content:encoded>
130. </item>
131. <item>
132. <title>We should lustily boo Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, but not demand he be fired</title>
133. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094091/harrison-butker-speech-sexist-lgbtq-reaction-booing/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=harrison-butker-speech-sexist-lgbtq-reaction-booing</link>
135. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jim Buzinski]]></dc:creator>
136. <pubDate>Sat, 18 May 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
137. <category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
138. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
139. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24094091</guid>
140.  
141. <description><![CDATA[<p>Demands by some for Harrison Butker to be fired misses the mark. We need to use our free speech to counter his.</p>
142. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094091/harrison-butker-speech-sexist-lgbtq-reaction-booing/" data-wpel-link="internal">We should lustily boo Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, but not demand he be fired</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
143. ]]></description>
144. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
145. <p>The controversy won&#8217;t die over the commencement address by Kansas City Chiefs kicker <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/13/24093811/harrison-butker-nfl-catholic-benedictine-college-kansas-city-chiefs/" data-wpel-link="internal">Harrison Butker</a>, where he slammed the LGBTQ community, &#8220;degenerate cultural values,&#8221; IVF, abortion, Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci, all while going on an extended rant saying women best serve society as homemakers.</p>
146.  
147.  
148.  
149. <p>The reaction has been furious and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/16/sport/harrison-butker-commencement-speech-analysis-cec/index.html" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">largely negative</a>. The <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/15/24093872/harrison-butker-women-gay-sexist-speech-kansas-city-chiefs-nfl/" data-wpel-link="internal">NFL told Outsports</a> it believed in inclusion and disagreed with what Butker said. The Chiefs have not issued any official statement, but the wife of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, <a href="https://people.com/chiefs-owner-wife-writes-raising-family-after-harrison-butker-uproar-8650147" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Tavia Hunt, weighed in</a> with a defense of Butker to declare that &#8220;motherhood is not bigoted&#8221; (no one said it was).</p>
150.  
151.  
152.  
153. <p>My favorite response was from the <a href="https://www.kmbc.com/article/benedictine-sisters-of-mount-st-scholastica-statement-harrison-butker-commencement-speech/60819290#" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica</a>, because they have a stake in this. </p>
154.  
155.  
156.  
157. <p>&#8220;The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker&#8217;s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested,&#8221; the post read. &#8220;Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division.&#8221;</p>
158.  
159.  
160.  <blockquote>
161.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
162.    <p>
163.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
164.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
165.    </p>
166.  </blockquote>
167.  
168.  
169.  <blockquote>
170.    <h3>Related</h3>
171.                <p>
172.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/13/24093811/harrison-butker-nfl-catholic-benedictine-college-kansas-city-chiefs/" data-wpel-link="internal">
173.                <strong>Harrison Butker attacks Pride month and trans people, tells women to get back in the kitchen</strong>
174.              </a><br />
175.              Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker seems to want America to return to the 1950s when gays hid in shame and women served men.            </p>
176.                      <p>
177.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2014/10/13/6969873/jallen-messersmith-rainbow-flag-benedictine-college/" data-wpel-link="internal">
178.                <strong>Benedictine College forces gay athlete Jallen Messersmith to remove rainbow flag</strong>
179.              </a><br />
180.              School president Stephen Minnis calls the rainbow flag &#8216;ugly&#8217; and &#8211; wait for it &#8211; a &#8216;distraction&#8217; to a football game.            </p>
181.            </blockquote>
182.  
183.  
184.  
185. <p>There are dueling petitions, one demanding Butker be fired and the other supporting him. That&#8217;s pretty predictable, harmless and silly.</p>
186.  
187.  
188.  
189. <p>The Chiefs are not going to cut Butker for what he said at Benedictine College. He&#8217;s too valuable to them. In the 2022 season, his last-second field goals won the AFC Championship Game and then the Super Bowl. In this past Super Bowl, he kicked a Super Bowl-record 57-yard field goal. Butker only gets cut when he becomes either too expensive (few kickers demand a premium) or starts missing makeable field goals.</p>
190.  
191.  
192.  
193. <p>There is a larger issue, though, for people calling on Butker to be fired — it&#8217;s the wrong approach.</p>
194.  
195.  
196.  
197. <p>I found Butker&#8217;s comments odious, homophobic and sexist, like listening to a man speak in 1724 and not 2024. His remarks about women were his most expansive and offensive (you can read his <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/news/harrison-butker-speech-at-benedictine" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">whole speech</a> here).</p>
198.  
199.  
200.  
201.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
202.      </div>
203.  
204.  
205.  
206.  
207.  
208. <p>Despite all this, Butker has the right to free speech. He gave the speech at the invitation of a private college on his own time. He is not in any position of authority  — he&#8217;s a kicker (even his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chiefs-news-patrick-mahomes-hilariously-reveals-he-doesnt-talk-to-harrison-butker-at-all-during-the-season" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">doesn&#8217;t talk to him</a> during the season). He cannot decide public policy. </p>
209.  
210.  
211.  
212. <p>I would feel differently had Butker harassed a specific person or uttered a slur on the field. In the former case, legal action could be warranted and in the latter case, the NFL could have weighed in with punishment.</p>
213.  
214.  
215.  
216. <p>He&#8217;s just one more ignoramus who has become the darling of the right that loves anyone who triggers people who believe in equal rights and diversity (his jersey has become a <a href="https://www.kctv5.com/2024/05/16/harrison-butker-jersey-sales-increase-aftermath-benedictine-college-address/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">hot item</a> and is <a href="https://www.nflshop.com/jerseys/d-2337111224+z-906686-2704878006" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">trending </a>on NFL.com shopping). Demanding he be fired just plays into the desire to play the victim.</p>
217.  
218.  
219.  
220.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
221.      </div>
222.  
223.  
224.  
225.  
226.  
227. <p>Instead, people who disagree with his comments should mock, heap scorn upon him and boo him at games. That&#8217;s using your power of free speech to greatest effect. Take a cue from D. Rashaan Gilmore, founder of <a href="https://blaqout.org/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">BlaqOut</a>, a Kansas City nonprofit geared to serving the city&#8217;s Black LGBTQ+ community. As he <a href="https://fox4kc.com/sports/chiefs/benedictine-grad-black-lgbtq-org-reacts-to-harrison-butker-commencement-speech/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">told a Fox affiliate</a>:</p>
228.  
229.  
230.  
231. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
232. <p>“Nobody was spared,” Gilmore said with laughter while recycling the comments back in his head. “The thing that was the most galling for me was that he thinks that what he said was courageous. That wasn’t courageous nor was it bold. What is bold, what is courageous, what takes true bravery, is to show up each and every day in society, in your own life as who you fully are, as your full self. And that’s what so many trans and queer people in this community and all over, do.”</p>
233. </blockquote>
234.  
235.  
236.  
237. <p>I love that Gilmore was described as &#8220;laughing.&#8221; That&#8217;s one reaction Butker deserves.</p>
238.  
239.  
240.  
241.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
242.      </div>
243.  
244.  
245.  
246.  
247.  
248. <p>As a Chargers fan, I already have a bias against the Chiefs, so knowing that they employ a retrograde sexist and homophobe who would fit in perfectly in a place like Russia or Saudi Arabia makes it easier to justify my rooting against them. I just need to order a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1293424248/voodoo-doll-crochet-pattern-cute-voodoo?ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_search_query=voodoo+doll+pattern&amp;ref=sr_gallery-1-2&amp;pro=1&amp;pop=1&amp;sts=1&amp;dd=1&amp;content_source=d60b41a113175205588b20ce54d02a55bfff0a25%253A1293424248&amp;search_preloaded_img=1&amp;organic_search_click=1" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">voodoo doll</a>, paint a red No. 7 jersey on it, slap on a beard and put it to use come Sept. 5 when the Chiefs&#8217; season starts.</p>
249.  
250.  
251.  
252. <p></p>
253. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/18/24094091/harrison-butker-speech-sexist-lgbtq-reaction-booing/" data-wpel-link="internal">We should lustily boo Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, but not demand he be fired</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
254. ]]></content:encoded>
258. </item>
259. <item>
260. <title>No gay footballers came out on IDAHOBIT, nobody was surprised &#8211; here&#8217;s what that tells us</title>
261. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094105/gay-footballers-bundesliga-idahobit-coming-out-may-17-lgbtq-sports-free/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=gay-footballers-bundesliga-idahobit-coming-out-may-17-lgbtq-sports-free</link>
263. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Holmes]]></dc:creator>
264. <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 18:46:45 +0000</pubDate>
265. <category><![CDATA[Soccer]]></category>
266. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24094105</guid>
267.  
268. <description><![CDATA[<p>Marcus Urban had touted May 17 as a day when gay footballers could come out, saying he knew many were chatting. Nothing happened.</p>
269. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094105/gay-footballers-bundesliga-idahobit-coming-out-may-17-lgbtq-sports-free/" data-wpel-link="internal">No gay footballers came out on IDAHOBIT, nobody was surprised &#8211; here&#8217;s what that tells us</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
270. ]]></description>
271. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
272. <p>On the day Marcus Urban hoped would be <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/4/24/24092465/gay-footballer-soccer-coming-out-sports-free-germany-tabloid-journalism/" data-wpel-link="internal">a coming out day for gay and bi male professional footballers</a>, nobody decided to step across that line.</p>
273.  
274.  
275.  
276. <p>However, the former player whose “Sports Free” project had been months in the planning was still talking a good game on IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.</p>
277.  
278.  
279.  
280. <p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@rtl.sport/video/7369941802264071456" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">In an interview with RTL Sport</a>, he again claimed to have knowledge of gay players communicating with each other, from those who feature in the Champions League down to the third tier of German soccer, and from other countries too.</p>
281.  
282.  
283.  
284. <p>“There are really more than I thought, but even I only see a few,” he said. “Not everyone is connected in groups. Many do individual things.”</p>
285.  
286.  
287.  <blockquote>
288.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
289.    <p>
290.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
291.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
292.    </p>
293.  </blockquote>
294.  
295.  
296.  
297. <p>It’s the same story Urban has been telling for months. <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/12/29/24018726/gay-footballers-coming-out-marcus-urban-sports-free/" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports first reported on Urban’s initiative late last year</a>, when he was already doing the media rounds in a bid to drum up interest and in turn, some funding.</p>
298.  
299.  
300.  
301. <p>Even then, the history of men’s team sports told us that the scenario was highly unlikely. “It would be a groundbreaking moment,” I wrote, “but for now, we only have one man’s word for it.”</p>
302.  
303.  
304.  
305. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
306.  
307.  
308.  
309.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
310.      </div>
311.  
312.  
313.  
314.  
315.  
316. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7DtjH1hg7v/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7DtjH1hg7v/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7DtjH1hg7v/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">A post shared by Diversero (@diversero_org)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
317.  
318.  
319.  
320. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
321.  
322.  
323.  
324. <p>Urban’s project was never just about May 17 (<a href="https://www.diversero.org/en/campaigns/sports-free-coming-out-in-professional-sports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">its website even mentions that “the 17th of every month” could be “Sports Free Day,”</a> which sounds like a get-out clause).</p>
325.  
326.  
327.  
328. <p>But he did frequently nail his Pride colors to that mast, and the media was happy to raise the rainbow flag for him. The story of secret WhatsApp groups with gay footballers has been clickbait gold for a host of outlets and social media accounts — it’s tantalizing, it gets fans guessing (and commenting) and it keeps them coming back for more.</p>
329.  
330.  
331.  
332. <p>Within German football, though, Urban has been given the benefit of the doubt on all this by many people. Several Bundesliga clubs have shown a level of support, with some pledging financially.</p>
333.  
334.  
335.  
336. <p>His own story is an important one — coming out in 2007 as a former player when only Justin Fashanu and Thomas Berling had gone before him in men’s soccer, anywhere in the world. He has given back to the game as a diversity consultant and as a contributor to documentaries.</p>
337.  
338.  
339.  
340. <p>Yet the cynics were beginning to circle as the targeted date approached. May 17 has now turned into a day of criticism, not celebration.</p>
341.  
342.  
343.  <blockquote>
344.    <h3>Related</h3>
345.                <p>
346.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/13/24093764/gay-footballers-coming-out-group-may-17-sports-free-bundesliga-media-hype/" data-wpel-link="internal">
347.                <strong>If you&#8217;re expecting gay footballers to come out as a group this week, you&#8217;ve been played</strong>
348.              </a><br />
349.              The good intentions of Marcus Urban’s gay-footballers-focused “Sports Free” are at risk of being overshadowed by online hype.            </p>
350.            </blockquote>
351.  
352.  
353.  
354.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
355.      </div>
356.  
357.  
358.  
359.  
360.  
361. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>&#8216;A media fuss&#8217;</strong></h3>
362.  
363.  
364.  
365. <p>Julia Monro is a leading LGBTQ activist, writer and consultant in Germany. She took aim at Urban in <a href="https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/am-internationalen-tag-gegen-homophobie-das-gruppen-coming-out-im-profi-fussball-bleibt-aus--bisher-11676344.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Tagesspiegel</a>: “I find this solo effort without the community very unfortunate.</p>
366.  
367.  
368.  
369. <p>“We have enough lone fighters… he harms queer professionals by first building up a long arc of tension and then nothing comes of it in the end.”</p>
370.  
371.  
372.  
373. <p>She also referred to the fundraising element of “Sports Free,” saying: “If money is collected in the background for alleged &#8216;storytelling&#8217; and then a media fuss is created, then to me it seems more like a clever PR strategy.”</p>
374.  
375.  
376.  
377. <p><a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/8/23/23843159/zander-murray-gay-lgbtq-footballer-coming-out-football-pride/" data-wpel-link="internal">Zander Murray</a> is a gay footballer who connected with Urban several months ago, having read about the project on Outsports. He offered his assistance to the closeted gay players, as someone who had come out as gay and played in the pro leagues in Scotland.</p>
378.  
379.  
380.  
381.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
382.      </div>
383.  
384.  
385.  
386.  
387.  
388. <p>Writing on X on Friday, he highlighted how the media had “whipped up a frenzy” around the story, and added: “I’ve been in contact with the org who is running this campaign. Unfortunately I was not allowed to engage with the players.”</p>
389.  
390.  
391.  
392. <p>Murray was also posting to share <a href="https://sportsmedialgbt.com/zander-murray-football-v-homophobia-podcast-gay-footballers-lgbtq-education" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">a new episode of the Football v Homophobia Podcast</a>, in which he discusses his concern that the hype around May 17 could end up pushing pro players who are gay or bi “further back in the closet.”</p>
393.  
394.  
395.  
396. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
397.  
398.  
399.  
400. <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
401. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IDAHOBIT2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#IDAHOBIT2024</a><br><br>Today is the day the media have whipped up a frenzy. Suggesting a group of players in the men’s game will come out <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f3f3-fe0f-200d-1f308.png" alt="🏳️‍🌈" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br><br>I’ve  been in contact with the org who is running this campaign. <br><br>Unfortunately I was not allowed to engage with the players. <br><br>Hear more <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f3a7.png" alt="🎧" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/2b07.png" alt="⬇" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <a href="https://t.co/taa54jgbIc" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">https://t.co/taa54jgbIc</a></p>&mdash; Zander Murray (@ZanderMurray) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZanderMurray/status/1791428041685496216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 17, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
402. </div></figure>
403.  
404.  
405.  
406.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
407.      </div>
408.  
409.  
410.  
411.  
412.  
413. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
414.  
415.  
416.  
417. <p>As for the reaction from LGBTQ supporters, <a href="https://wiraneurerseite.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">a broad coalition of fan groups published an open letter</a> Friday addressed to gay footballers who are considering coming out.</p>
418.  
419.  
420.  
421. <p>“You alone decide when and where you come out. But when the time comes, we&#8217;ll be there. We will recognize your courage and support you,” read the letter. It referred to the tabloid press as “annoying”; there was no mention of “Sports Free.”</p>
422.  
423.  
424.  
425.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
426.      </div>
427.  
428.  
429.  
430.  
431.  
432. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Kroos control</strong></h3>
433.  
434.  
435.  
436. <p>This weekend, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga.2 league seasons draw to a conclusion. There are still issues to be settled, which again made May 17 an unappealing date for a player to come out, in case it opened them up to accusations of being a &#8220;distraction.&#8221;</p>
437.  
438.  
439.  
440. <p>Perhaps the final word for now should go to a player who understands the modern-day locker-room culture in Germany.&nbsp;</p>
441.  
442.  
443.  
444. <p>Felix Kroos made over 300 league appearances there before retiring in 2021. The younger brother of World Cup winner Toni, <a href="https://www.queer.de/detail.php?article_id=49535" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">he appeared on a podcast this week</a> and was asked why gay and bi players are still so rare.</p>
445.  
446.  
447.  
448. <p>Kroos feels that in his 13 years as a pro, he would have feasibly played with 10 to 12 gay guys. But he admitted he was guessing.</p>
449.  
450.  
451.  
452. <p>“I don&#8217;t know about a single one. Nobody has talked to me about it… I believe there is a very small percentage where someone has confided in a colleague.&#8221;</p>
453.  
454.  
455.  
456. <p>In his view, it’s the competition between teammates within a squad and the fact you could be transferred at any time that prevents players from coming out.</p>
457.  
458.  
459.  
460. <p>&#8220;If a club has to choose between you and another player because we are equally good and cost the same, then of course you look for arguments: Do I take this one or do I take that one?”</p>
461.  
462.  
463.  
464. <p>That is, understandably, where fear and trepidation around coming out would really take hold. You can only control the controllables — and the decisions and whims of coaches and sporting directors sit outside of that.</p>
465.  
466.  
467.  
468.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
469.      </div>
470.  
471.  
472.  
473.  
474.  
475. <p>“Sports Free” certainly isn’t finished, but it feels like a rethink is needed.</p>
476.  
477.  
478.  
479. <p>And if these closeted gay players do exist and are all together in a WhatsApp group, you can be sure they’ll have been sharing countless articles and social posts written about them over the last few months.</p>
480.  
481.  
482.  
483. <p>Constantly shining a searchlight in their direction will generate clicks and might even bring in some donations. But it will never lure them out of the shadows.</p>
484. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094105/gay-footballers-bundesliga-idahobit-coming-out-may-17-lgbtq-sports-free/" data-wpel-link="internal">No gay footballers came out on IDAHOBIT, nobody was surprised &#8211; here&#8217;s what that tells us</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
485. ]]></content:encoded>
489. </item>
490. <item>
491. <title>This athlete came out in pro cycling and is now competing in Mr Gay Belgium</title>
492. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094074/justin-laevens-cycling-cyclocross-mr-gay-belgium-lgbtq-athletes/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=justin-laevens-cycling-cyclocross-mr-gay-belgium-lgbtq-athletes</link>
494. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Holmes]]></dc:creator>
495. <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 16:45:59 +0000</pubDate>
496. <category><![CDATA[cycling]]></category>
497. <category><![CDATA[Out Athletes]]></category>
498. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24094074</guid>
499.  
500. <description><![CDATA[<p>Justin Laevens tells Outsports that he wants to help other LGBTQ athletes who are still “stuck in the closet” after his positive experience.</p>
501. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094074/justin-laevens-cycling-cyclocross-mr-gay-belgium-lgbtq-athletes/" data-wpel-link="internal">This athlete came out in pro cycling and is now competing in Mr Gay Belgium</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
502. ]]></description>
503. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
504. <p>Three years ago, <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2021/1/8/22220390/justin-laevens-cyclist-gay-belgium/" data-wpel-link="internal">Justin Laevens</a> sent a shock wave through professional cycling, causing the men’s side of the sport to take a serious look at itself.</p>
505.  
506.  
507.  
508. <p>Laevens was 19 and competing in cyclocross for a pro team in his native Belgium. He discussed his sexuality with a sports website, explaining how his parents had been very supportive, but that the lack of LGBTQ visibility in cycling had caused him to worry about coming out in that environment.</p>
509.  
510.  
511.  
512. <p>There had barely been any out gay or bi male cyclists who had come before Laevens. Several journalists wrote feature articles exploring why — and then the peloton moved on.</p>
513.  
514.  
515.  
516. <p>Laevens was with his team, Proximus-Cyclis-Alphamotorhomes, for another two years, but he moved on too, announcing the end of his pro cycling career in February 2023.</p>
517.  
518.  
519.  <blockquote>
520.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
521.    <p>
522.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
523.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
524.    </p>
525.  </blockquote>
526.  
527.  
528.  
529. <p>“The last few years have been with ups but mostly with downs,” <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ConF-5QstBU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">he wrote on Instagram</a>, thanking his boyfriend Marlon, among others.</p>
530.  
531.  
532.  
533. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
534.  
535.  
536.  
537.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
538.      </div>
539.  
540.  
541.  
542.  
543.  
544. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5JBhpNg2j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5JBhpNg2j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5JBhpNg2j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">A post shared by J U S T I N <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/2764-fe0f-200d-1f525.png" alt="❤️‍🔥" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> (@justinlaevens)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
545.  
546.  
547.  
548. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
549.  
550.  
551.  
552. <p>Although his experience as a pro athlete was bumpy, the coming out part of it was relatively smooth and his confidence as an out gay man has grown.&nbsp;</p>
553.  
554.  
555.  
556. <p>Now 23, he’s leaning into that even more as a contestant in this year’s <a href="https://www.mrgaybelgium.be/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Mr Gay Belgium</a>.</p>
557.  
558.  
559.  
560. <p>It’s a competition that’s been running for over 10 years and bills itself as being not just a pageant but also “a powerful statement in a world where there is still a lot of work to be done for LGBTQI rights.”</p>
561.  
562.  
563.  
564. <p>“My participation in Mr Gay Belgium came very unexpectedly,” Laevens tells Outsports.</p>
565.  
566.  
567.  
568. <p>“I came out of the closet in cycling and a lot was thrown at me. I’d like to share my experience with other athletes who are still stuck in the closet.</p>
569.  
570.  
571.  
572. <p>“I hope to win the title in order to achieve my goal in the sports world.”</p>
573.  
574.  
575.  
576. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
577.  
578.  
579.  
580.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
581.      </div>
582.  
583.  
584.  
585.  
586.  
587. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6rj1ewN9Vx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6rj1ewN9Vx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6rj1ewN9Vx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">A post shared by J U S T I N <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/2764-fe0f-200d-1f525.png" alt="❤️‍🔥" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> (@justinlaevens)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
588.  
589.  
590.  
591. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
592.  
593.  
594.  
595. <p>He describes the decision to share his personal news as “a bombshell,” as far as men’s pro cycling was concerned. No one had shown the courage to come out before him.</p>
596.  
597.  
598.  
599. <p>“Fortunately, I received many positive reactions and I could go to the competitions with peace of mind,” he says. He gained thousands of new followers on social media and won an LGBTQ media personality award at the end of 2021 from OUTtv.</p>
600.  
601.  
602.  
603. <p>This week, <a href="https://kw.be/nieuws/samenleving/stad-kortrijk-hijst-de-regenboogvlag-samen-met-justin-laevens-uit-bissegem-finalist-van-mister-gay-belgium-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Laevens has been talking part in events to mark IDAHOBIT</a> in his home city of Kortrijk. Belgium has just been ranked third on <a href="https://rainbowmap.ilga-europe.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">the annual Rainbow Europe map</a> of LGBTQ-friendly nations, behind only Malta and Iceland.</p>
604.  
605.  
606.  
607.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
608.      </div>
609.  
610.  
611.  
612.  
613.  
614. <figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
615. <iframe title="MGB2024_Finalist Justin Laevens" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c2gcsoXKBIw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
616. </div></figure>
617.  
618.  
619.  
620. <p>He says he often receives “requests for photo shoots, to judge drag queen shows and to attend fun events” — but he takes advocating for other LGBTQ athletes very seriously.</p>
621.  
622.  
623.  
624. <p>He has advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps. </p>
625.  
626.  
627.  
628. <p>“Be yourself and take enough time for yourself. Talk to friends and family about it at your own pace and keep focusing on being happy and liking yourself.”</p>
629.  
630.  
631.  <blockquote>
632.    <h3>Related</h3>
633.                <p>
634.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/1/26/24052247/cycling-saxo-classic-cartoon-gay-riders-josh-jones/" data-wpel-link="internal">
635.                <strong>Clumsy cartoon ‘joke’ shows how men’s cycling is on wrong track, says gay rider</strong>
636.              </a><br />
637.              Organizers of Belgium’s E3 Saxo Classic apologized for a cartoon that some called homophobic. UCI-ranked Josh Jones says the sport is “thoughtless” on LGBTQ inclusion.            </p>
638.            </blockquote>
639.  
640.  
641.  
642. <p>Laevens is one of 12 finalists in Mr Gay Belgium. He is currently canvassing for votes via his Instagram account and on <a href="https://www.out.tv/be_BE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">the OUTtv website</a>.</p>
643.  
644.  
645.  
646. <p>The final of the pageant is in late August, with the winner going on to compete in Mr Gay Europe and possibly Mr Gay World too.</p>
647.  
648.  
649.  
650. <p>“I’d be extremely grateful to all those who vote for me,” he says. </p>
651.  
652.  
653.  
654. <p>Let’s hope the cycling peloton gets the message too, because Laevens is exactly the sort of positive LGBTQ role model the sport needs.</p>
655. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094074/justin-laevens-cycling-cyclocross-mr-gay-belgium-lgbtq-athletes/" data-wpel-link="internal">This athlete came out in pro cycling and is now competing in Mr Gay Belgium</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
656. ]]></content:encoded>
660. </item>
661. <item>
662. <title>Major League Soccer is putting &#8230; interesting Pride jerseys on players this season</title>
663. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094009/major-league-soccer-pride-kit-adidas/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=major-league-soccer-pride-kit-adidas</link>
665. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cyd Zeigler]]></dc:creator>
666. <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 15:52:11 +0000</pubDate>
667. <category><![CDATA[Major League Soccer]]></category>
668. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24094009</guid>
669.  
670. <description><![CDATA[<p>The Major League Soccer Pride jerseys are a hot topic of debate on social media, with muted colors and a sort of camo pattern.</p>
671. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094009/major-league-soccer-pride-kit-adidas/" data-wpel-link="internal">Major League Soccer is putting &#8230; interesting Pride jerseys on players this season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
672. ]]></description>
673. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
674. <p>Major League Soccer <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1790760477758226728" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">kicked off its leaguewide Pride </a>celebration this week, revealing its Pride kit and debuting it on players for warm-ups during two &#8220;Pride&#8221; matches.</p>
675.  
676.  
677.  
678. <p>Online, the jersey itself is raising some eyebrows, some snarky comments, and, yes, some praise.</p>
679.  
680.  
681.  
682. <p>The jersey debuted Wednesday night at the &#8220;Pride&#8221; matches between Inter Miami and Orlando City, as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps at the Colorado Rapids.</p>
683.  
684.  
685.  
686. <p>Many players with the clubs wore the MLS Pride jersey during warm-ups, including Inter Miami&#8217;s Luis Suarez, who is tied for the league lead with 11 goals scored. </p>
687.  
688.  
689.  
690.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
691.      </div>
692.  
693.  
694.  
695.  
696.  <blockquote>
697.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
698.    <p>
699.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
700.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
701.    </p>
702.  </blockquote>
703.  
704.  
705.  
706. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
707. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luis Suarez — Tied for first in MLS with 11 goals and scored a brace against Orlando in Matchday 2.<br><br><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f4fa.png" alt="📺" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSSeasonPass?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#MLSSeasonPass</a> (7:30pm ET): <a href="https://t.co/WaHyCQPjzf" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">https://t.co/WaHyCQPjzf</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RivalryWeek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#RivalryWeek</a> by <a href="https://twitter.com/continentaltire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">@continentaltire</a> <a href="https://t.co/FGz9LJ3CZw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/FGz9LJ3CZw</a></p>&mdash; Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1790886779232379010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
708. </div></figure>
709.  
710.  
711.  <blockquote>
712.    <h3>Related</h3>
713.                <p>
714.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/3/25/24089426/nico-young-adidas-running-gay-athlete/" data-wpel-link="internal">
715.                <strong>Gay track star Nico Young lands big NIL deal with Adidas</strong>
716.              </a><br />
717.              Nico Young&#8217;s NIL deal with Adidas will allow him to focus on his goal of making the Paris Olympics. The openly gay athlete is succeeding in his goal to be a role model.            </p>
718.            </blockquote>
719.  
720.  
721.  
722. <p>At a time when other leagues are pulling back from featuring Pride on the field or on the ice, it&#8217;s refreshing to see MLS going in the opposite direction. Last year, the NHL banned all Pride rainbows from the ice before relenting to massive pressure from fans and players and allowing Pride Tape to be used <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/10/24/23930391/nhl-reverses-pride-tape-ban-players-gay-lgbtq/" data-wpel-link="internal">on sticks</a> during warm-ups. The league still bans Pride jerseys. </p>
723.  
724.  
725.  
726. <p>Major League Baseball has reportedly barred teams from wearing Pride caps, though the <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/6/18/23765320/dodgers-pride-night-sisters-perpetual-indulgence-rainbow-logos/" data-wpel-link="internal">Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are said</a> to be &#8220;grandfathered in&#8221; and can wear them. </p>
727.  
728.  
729.  
730. <p>As for the jerseys themselves, they are certainly garnering some attention online.</p>
731.  
732.  
733.  
734. <p>The line is produced by Adidas and designed by Brazilian drag queen <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pabllovittar/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Pabllo Vittar</a>, who said their &#8220;aim for the collection was to expand the lens we’re seen through.&#8221; Adidas&#8217; United Against Racism said in a statement, &#8220;the collection is inspired by Brazilian swimwear and Pabllo Vittar’s on-stage signature club style.&#8221;</p>
735.  
736.  
737.  
738. <p>Comments on Major League Soccer&#8217;s X post questioned the subtlety of the rainbow on the mostly brown, grey and black uniforms. From the stands, the rainbow isn&#8217;t visible, and the words on the front — Love Unites — are barely legible. </p>
739.  
740.  
741.  
742. <p>In fact, <a href="https://www.adidas.com/us/pride" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Adidas&#8217; entire Pride line this year features muted rainbows</a>.</p>
743.  
744.  
745.  
746. <p>Others questioned the camo-like pattern.</p>
747.  
748.  
749.  
750.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
751.      </div>
752.  
753.  
754.  
755.  
756.  
757. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
758. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Without confidence, there is nothing. <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f308.png" alt="🌈" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br><br>Introducing the 2024 Pride Top, uniting us all in love.<br><br>Get yours for June and beyond: <a href="https://t.co/gJacGGxduw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">https://t.co/gJacGGxduw</a> <a href="https://t.co/i8L3nFQoEn" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/i8L3nFQoEn</a></p>&mdash; Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1790760477758226728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
759. </div></figure>
760.  
761.  
762.  
763.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
764.      </div>
765.  
766.  
767.  
768.  
769.  
770. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This looks like when gasoline spills into a lake</p>&mdash; <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/26bd.png" alt="⚽" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Wyatt (@Superduperwyatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Superduperwyatt/status/1790762637497708725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
771.  
772.  
773.  
774. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nothing about this jersey feels like pride to me, aside from the (hard to read) “love unites”</p>&mdash; lexi <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/2728.png" alt="✨" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> (@misslexilouwho) <a href="https://twitter.com/misslexilouwho/status/1790843174199418908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
775.  
776.  
777.  
778. <p>A handful of commenters do like the uni.</p>
779.  
780.  
781.  
782. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I actually like the pride kit this year</p>&mdash; 206.casual (@206_casual) <a href="https://twitter.com/206_casual/status/1790779839378862281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
783.  
784.  
785.  
786.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
787.      </div>
788.  
789.  
790.  
791.  
792.  
793. <p>Regardless, it&#8217;s great to see MLS not backing away from Pride, and Adidas continue to put forward a Pride line. Outsports is told that at least one major sports-apparel brand is pulling back from creating a Pride line this year, which would be incredibly unfortunate.</p>
794.  
795.  
796.  
797. <p>Adidas is continuing its commitment to providing resources to the LGBTQ community, pushing for acceptance in sports. Next month, Athlete Ally will host its third <a href="https://www.athleteally.org/2024-athlete-activism-summit/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Athlete Activism Summit</a>, presented by Adidas, which brings together people across college sports to share insights on how to build LGBTQ inclusion in their sports world.</p>
798.  
799.  
800.  
801. <p>Ashley Czarnowksi, Senior Director of Adidas Global Purpose, said the company&#8217;s work in the space isn&#8217;t just during Pride Month, but 52 weeks a year.</p>
802.  
803.  
804.  
805. <p>“Our year-round collaboration with Athlete Ally works towards addressing the barriers to sport &#8211; fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive world where everyone has access to participate,&#8221; Czarnowski said in a statement. </p>
806.  
807.  
808.  
809. <p><a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/3/25/24089426/nico-young-adidas-running-gay-athlete/" data-wpel-link="internal">Adidas&#8217; endorsement deal with gay runner Nico Young</a>, as he aims for the Paris Summer Olympics, demonstrates a real dedication to LGBTQ athletes.</p>
810.  
811.  
812.  
813. <p>You can <a href="https://www.mlsstore.com/en/?_s=BM-mlssoccercom-MLS-MLS_Pride-Editorial-0524" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">get your MLS Pride gear at their online store</a>. <a href="https://www.adidas.com/us/pride" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Adidas&#8217; Pride collection is here</a>.</p>
814. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094009/major-league-soccer-pride-kit-adidas/" data-wpel-link="internal">Major League Soccer is putting &#8230; interesting Pride jerseys on players this season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
815. ]]></content:encoded>
819. </item>
820. <item>
821. <title>2 trans athletes collided on a women&#8217;s football field, and women&#8217;s sports survived</title>
822. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24093937/trans-athletes-wfa-football-rebellion-ambush-inclusion/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=trans-athletes-wfa-football-rebellion-ambush-inclusion</link>
824. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Karleigh Webb]]></dc:creator>
825. <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 15:02:25 +0000</pubDate>
826. <category><![CDATA[football]]></category>
827. <category><![CDATA[Trans Athletes]]></category>
828. <category><![CDATA[Women's Sports]]></category>
829. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24093937</guid>
830.  
831. <description><![CDATA[<p>Two trans athletes met on a women's football field. Collided, in fact. And women's sports are even better because they did.</p>
832. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24093937/trans-athletes-wfa-football-rebellion-ambush-inclusion/" data-wpel-link="internal">2 trans athletes collided on a women&#8217;s football field, and women&#8217;s sports survived</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
833. ]]></description>
834. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
835. <p>It was a typical scene in women&#8217;s tackle football. A spring night and two teams on a high school field somewhere ready to play.</p>
836.  
837.  
838.  
839. <p>In this case it was last Saturday, May 11, in Manchester, N.H. The <a href="https://newhampshirerebellion.com/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">New Hampshire Rebellion</a>, ready to open their Women&#8217;s Football Alliance season, took on the visiting <a href="https://ctambushfootball.com/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Connecticut Ambush.</a></p>
840.  
841.  
842.  
843. <p>Early in the first quarter, the Ambush had the ball and their quarterback handed off to a setback running inside. The Rebellion linebacker reacted to fill the hole. Both women collided into each other in a clash of wills and pads.</p>
844.  
845.  
846.  
847. <p>When the whistle sounded, the back gained three yards with the linebacker making the tackle. As they both picked themselves up off the ground and headed to back to their respective huddles, both women nodded in acknowledgement and respect.</p>
848.  
849.  
850.  <blockquote>
851.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
852.    <p>
853.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
854.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
855.    </p>
856.  </blockquote>
857.  
858. <figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://outsports-prodweb.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Missy-meets-Karleigh-on-a-play-up-the-middle.mp4"></video><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">video courtesy: New Hampshire Rebellion/TEZ TV</figcaption></figure>
859.  
860.  
861.  
862. <p>The Rebellion linebacker, Missy Mahoney, and the Ambush running back, who is also writing this column, are both transgender women. Their collision, contrary to some people&#8217;s hysteria, did not cause a seismic wave that wiped out the WNBA season or pillaged the entertaining PWHL playoffs happening now.</p>
863.  
864.  
865.  
866. <p>Women&#8217;s sports is very much alive and booming.</p>
867.  
868.  
869.  
870. <p>What happened instead was a bonding, even as they both were trying their best to help get their teams win.  &#8220;I didn&#8217;t realize it until I hit you,&#8221; Mahoney said. &#8220;After the play you said &#8216;What&#8217;s going on, sis?&#8217; and the biggest smile came across my face.&#8221;</p>
871.  
872.  
873.  
874. <p>For Mahoney, sports have been integral part of her life since moving forward with her transition eight years ago. She had been a part of softball and flag football leagues in the Boston area for years. </p>
875.  
876.  
877.  
878. <p>Joining the Rebellion last season represented a second chance from childhood. &#8220;I always wanted to play football as a kid,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I ended up playing on the same team as my brother. I lasted three days.&#8221;</p>
879.  
880.  
881.  
882. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&#038;auto=compress&#038;width=1120&#038;org_if_sml=1" alt="" class="wp-image-24093977" srcset="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=300 300w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=768 768w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1536w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=318 318w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/missy-glam-shot-copy-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mahoney loves her sports, and couldn&#8217;t wait to get on the gridiron | Jess Dodge</figcaption></figure>
883.  
884.  
885.  
886.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
887.      </div>
888.  
889.  
890.  
891. <p>When a friend from a Boston-area flag football league mentioned that the Rebellion were forming and encouraged Mahoney to tryout, she didn&#8217;t hesitate. &#8220;She said they needed more players and asked if I wanted to join and I said hell yes,&#8221; Mahoney remembered. &#8220;I&#8217;m gung-ho for anything in sports.&#8221;</p>
892.  
893.  
894.  
895. <p>Her story in many ways mirrors my own. Growing up in Nebraska, football was life, and when a chance to play for Reapers Women&#8217;s Football last season presented itself<a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/4/21/23689069/football-wtfl-reapers-sting-outsports-karleigh-webb-inclusion/" data-wpel-link="internal"> I jumped in with both feet.</a>  This season, lack of numbers cancelled the Reapers slate, but a group of teams in Connecticut came together to form the Ambush. When one of my teammates from last year asked me if I wanted to play, I had the same answer Mahoney did: <em>Hell yes!</em></p>
896.  
897.  
898.  
899. <p>That play wasn&#8217;t the only time our paths crossed throughout the game. Mahoney had four tackles, and I was on the receiving end of three of those. </p>
900.  
901.  
902.  
903.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
904.      </div>
905.  
906.  
907.  
908. <p>What we also share is the unyielding support of our teams, each comprised mostly of  cisgender teammates and coaches. Such support is especially meaningful in the situation we are seeing at many levels. Three world governing bodies have banned trans women from competition entirely. <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/4/9/24091134/naia-small-colleges-sports-transgender-women-ban-chris-mosier/" data-wpel-link="internal">The NAIA put forth a total ban last month.</a> The NCAA is being sued <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/3/19/24088617/anti-trans-lawsuit-ncaa-lia-thomas-riley-gaines-political-personal-petty/" data-wpel-link="internal">by anti-trans activists seeking a total ban</a> and 25&nbsp;states<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.transathlete.com/take-action" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">ban transgender students from participating in school sports consistent with their gender identity.</a></p>
909.  
910.  
911.  
912. <p>Transgender women in this sport date as far back as the original National Women&#8217;s Football League of the 1970s. The league documented in the excellent book <a href="https://www.britnidlc.com/hail-mary-lp" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><em>Hail Mary </em>by Frankie de la Cretaz and Lyndsey D’Arcangelo.</a></p>
913.  
914.  
915.  
916. <p>Among the varied women&#8217;s football leagues operating today, they are a few trans women on rosters and there is a level of  camaraderie even in competition.</p>
917.  
918.  
919.  
920. <p>The field of play is a welcome refuge from the headlines, hysteria and social media meanness that trans people have to deal with too often. It&#8217;s just about block, tackle, pass and run out here. To quote a fellow trans woman in the game, <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/1/9/24028889/discrimination-hb68-ohio-trans-rights-veto-override/" data-wpel-link="internal">Columbus Chaos WFA All-American Julie &#8220;All&#8221; Day</a>, &#8220;Please, just let us shut up and play ball.&#8221;</p>
921.  
922.  
923.  
924. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&#038;auto=compress&#038;width=1120&#038;org_if_sml=1" alt="" class="wp-image-24093972" srcset="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=300 300w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=768 768w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1536w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=318 318w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/karleigh-in-the-pile-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1939w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our paths crossed more than a few times in a game neither of us will forget. Photo by Jess Dodge | Jess Dodge</figcaption></figure>
925.  
926.  
927.  
928.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
929.      </div>
930.  
931.  
932.  
933. <p>For No. 52 in black and green and No. 35 in gray-orange on a brisk Saturday night in New Hampshire, each met a sister they didn&#8217;t know they had, and the sports world got a little bit better because of it.</p>
934.  
935.  
936.  
937. <p>&#8220;When you came up to me on the field, we made history here,&#8221; Mahoney stated emphatically. &#8220;Two transgender women on the same field! This was a victory for trans women and for trans rights.</p>
938.  
939.  
940.  
941. <p>&#8220;This is for all the trans women who get criticized for being in women&#8217;s sports. I&#8217;m going to be out there fighting for our rights and my sisters on this team are going to be out there with me.&#8221;</p>
942.  
943.  
944.  
945. <p></p>
946. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24093937/trans-athletes-wfa-football-rebellion-ambush-inclusion/" data-wpel-link="internal">2 trans athletes collided on a women&#8217;s football field, and women&#8217;s sports survived</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
947. ]]></content:encoded>
950. <enclosure url="https://outsports-prodweb.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/05/Missy-meets-Karleigh-on-a-play-up-the-middle.mp4" length="0" type="video/mp4" />
951.  
952. </item>
953. <item>
954. <title>Triston Casas in a yoga pose with painted nails in Red Sox bobblehead</title>
955. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094045/boston-red-sox-triston-casas-bobblehead-barbie-pride-night-minnesota-twins-edouard-julien/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=boston-red-sox-triston-casas-bobblehead-barbie-pride-night-minnesota-twins-edouard-julien</link>
957. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Schultz]]></dc:creator>
958. <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
959. <category><![CDATA[baseball]]></category>
960. <category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
961. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
962. <category><![CDATA[barbie]]></category>
963. <category><![CDATA[bobblehead]]></category>
964. <category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
965. <category><![CDATA[Edouard Julien]]></category>
966. <category><![CDATA[Minnesota Twins]]></category>
967. <category><![CDATA[MLB thirst traps]]></category>
968. <category><![CDATA[painted nails]]></category>
969. <category><![CDATA[Pride Nights]]></category>
970. <category><![CDATA[Triston Casas]]></category>
971. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24094045</guid>
972.  
973. <description><![CDATA[<p>After holding Barbie Night last fall, the Sox are showing other teams how to make Pride happen outside of June. Plus: fixing starting pitching and Thirst Trap of the Week.</p>
974. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094045/boston-red-sox-triston-casas-bobblehead-barbie-pride-night-minnesota-twins-edouard-julien/" data-wpel-link="internal">Triston Casas in a yoga pose with painted nails in Red Sox bobblehead</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
975. ]]></description>
976. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
977. <p><em>Welcome back to Talkin’ Gaysball, where Griffey Jr., Griffey Sr., Lofton, Caminiti, and Singleton are all Kenough.</em></p>
978.  
979.  
980.  
981. <p>For years during the Big Papi, Pedro, and Pedroia eras, the Boston Red Sox didn’t need to rely on promotions to sell out Fenway Park.</p>
982.  
983.  
984.  
985. <p>But now that the team’s mission has apparently shifted to “dump generational talents once they cost more than <a href="https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht/elysian/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">the owner’s superyacht</a>,” the Sox need to come up with more creative ways to put fans in seats.</p>
986.  
987.  
988.  
989. <p>Fortunately, their marketing department has been up to the task. Every year, they’ve thrown a fantastic Pride Night with rainbow jersey giveaways, pregame LGBTQ socials, and ceremonies <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2022/6/21/23176411/red-sox-mets-drag-queens-pride-night-baseball-mlb-lgbtq/" data-wpel-link="internal">honoring the Hub’s drag community</a>.</p>
990.  
991.  
992.  <blockquote>
993.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
994.    <p>
995.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
996.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
997.    </p>
998.  </blockquote>
999.  
1000. <p>Scheduling a memorable Pride event is an excellent way to prove you’re not the <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/11/30/23981457/texas-rangers-world-series-lgbtq-pride-night/" data-wpel-link="internal">Texas Rangers</a>. But over the past two years, the Sox have also gone above and beyond to create a few promotions that strongly appeal to LGBTQ fans even when it isn’t June.</p>
1001.  
1002.  
1003.  
1004. <p>For instance, last season, the Red Sox capitalized on the summer’s biggest pop cultural phenomenon by hosting <a href="https://www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/promotions/themes/barbie" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Barbie Night</a> at the renamed “Kenway Park.”</p>
1005.  
1006.  
1007.  
1008. <p>For one evening, the home of the Sox was decked out in so much pink, it qualified as a Lizzo single. Wally the Green Monster rocked an “I Am Kenough” jersey, there was a pregame dance party featuring the movie soundtrack, and fans took home special Red Sox shirts in Barbie font.</p>
1009.  
1010.  
1011.  
1012.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1013.      </div>
1014.  
1015.  
1016.  
1017. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
1018. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Red Sox are hosting Barbie Night at &quot;Kenway Park&quot; this Friday <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f602.png" alt="😂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f602.png" alt="😂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> <a href="https://t.co/DVVkE9njGx" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/DVVkE9njGx</a></p>&mdash; MLB Life (@MLBLife) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBLife/status/1703799006625992738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">September 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
1019. </div></figure>
1020.  
1021.  
1022.  
1023. <p>It was a night where Fenway looked and sounded like Barbieland. And it took place in September. All in all, the event was an innovative way to let members of the LGBTQ community know that they would feel at home at the ballpark for more than just Pride.</p>
1024.  
1025.  
1026.  
1027. <p>Then for one of this year’s promotions, Boston outdid themselves.</p>
1028.  
1029.  
1030.  
1031. <p>During this past offseason, the Red Sox put together <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/1/29/24054664/triston-casas-boston-red-sox-baseball-mlb-nail-polish-fenway-park-manicure-youtube/" data-wpel-link="internal">a video</a> showing first baseman Triston Casas getting his nails painted by a manicurist and talking about his enthusiasm for <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2023/2/20/23607483/triston-casas-boston-red-sox-mlb-lgbtq-nail-polish-joc-pederson-pearl-necklace/" data-wpel-link="internal">taking the field with nail polish</a>.</p>
1032.  
1033.  
1034.  
1035. <p>They’d also scheduled a bobblehead giveaway featuring Casas striking a yoga pose for this past Tuesday. Lo and behold, take a look at the nails on this beauty…</p>
1036.  
1037.  
1038.  
1039.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1040.      </div>
1041.  
1042.  
1043.  
1044. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
1045. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Triston Casas Yoga Bobblehead comes with painted fingernails and toenails. <a href="https://t.co/RMsqOVayv2" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/RMsqOVayv2</a></p>&mdash; Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/1790541261666959606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
1046. </div></figure>
1047.  
1048.  
1049.  <blockquote>
1050.    <h3>Related</h3>
1051.                <p>
1052.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/11/24093647/talking-gaysball-jackie-robinson-museum-brooklyn-dodgers-new-york-city-elly-de-la-cruz-cincinnati-reds/" data-wpel-link="internal">
1053.                <strong>A visit to the Jackie Robinson Museum illuminates his courage in creating the template for athlete activists</strong>
1054.              </a><br />
1055.              Robinson set the template for all socially conscious athletes&#8211;including LGBTQ icons. Plus: a request for uniform changes and Thirst Trap of the Week.            </p>
1056.                      <p>
1057.              <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/3/24093069/liam-hendriks-boston-red-sox-mlb-talkin-gaysball-anthony-rizzo-chicago-cubs-new-york-yankees/" data-wpel-link="internal">
1058.                <strong>LGBTQ ally Liam Hendriks continues to be an All Star human as he continues rehab</strong>
1059.              </a><br />
1060.              Even facing a long road back to game action, Hendriks is a credit to baseball. Plus: Thirst Trap of the Week pays tribute to an all time great.            </p>
1061.            </blockquote>
1062.  
1063.  
1064.  
1065. <p>That is a bobblehead more secure in its masculinity than 98% of the people commenting underneath it.</p>
1066.  
1067.  
1068.  
1069. <p>What a phenomenal way to show organizational support for Casas and his flaunting of baseball’s stereotypical macho norms. Painted nails have become such an intrinsic part of Casas’ image that his bobblehead would look weird if it didn’t have them.</p>
1070.  
1071.  
1072.  
1073. <p>Rather than hide that part of their power hitting first baseman in fear of an ignorant backlash similar to what <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/3/27/24089660/caleb-williams-nfl-pink-phone-fingernails-quarterback-nfl-draft-usc-chicago-bears/" data-wpel-link="internal">Caleb Williams has endured in the NFL</a>, the Red Sox decided to embrace it.</p>
1074.  
1075.  
1076.  
1077. <p>As a gay fan who also painted my nails when I went to a game at Fenway last year, I feel seen — and I’m sure I’m not the only one.</p>
1078.  
1079.  
1080.  
1081. <p>The Red Sox promotions crew is doing more for the team’s image than the rest of the front office put together. Let’s hope that other teams take notice and that this “Pride outside of June” trend catches on elsewhere.</p>
1082.  
1083.  
1084.  
1085.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1086.      </div>
1087.  
1088.  
1089.  
1090. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pitching and Nothingness</strong></h2>
1091.  
1092.  
1093.  
1094. <p>This week, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark and Ken Rosenthal did <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5484428/2024/05/14/mlb-starting-pitcher-history-changes/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">a deep dive</a> into the dearth of starting pitching throughout baseball, noting that three executives labeled this problem the game’s “existential crisis.”</p>
1095.  
1096.  
1097.  
1098. <p>I’m not sure about that. If Jean-Paul Sartre watched the first six weeks of this season, he’d conclude that Hell is the Cubs bullpen.</p>
1099.  
1100.  
1101.  
1102. <p>But I get what those guys mean. As a fan, baseball is better when you watch Logan Webb and Dylan Cease throw zeroes at each other inning after inning as opposed to the grand parade of 98 MPH bullpen randos that so many games have become.</p>
1103.  
1104.  
1105.  
1106. <p>Stark and Rosenthal brainstormed <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5490526/2024/05/14/mlb-rule-change-ideas-starting-pitcher/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">12 proposed rules</a> to tilt the game back in favor of the starter. Honestly, I don’t know if any of them would achieve the desired result better than these two changes I want to propose to baseball culture:</p>
1107.  
1108.  
1109.  
1110. <ol>
1111. <li>The first development program that teaches pitchers how to effectively get through the third time through the order is going to make a boatload of money.<br></li>
1112.  
1113.  
1114.  
1115. <li>With every team building its pitching staff around those bullpen randos, if some organization bucks the trend and finally starts putting value on innings pitched, they could revolutionize the game.</li>
1116. </ol>
1117.  
1118.  
1119.  
1120. <p>I will now return to my regularly scheduled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ-LivK4-78" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">yelling at clouds</a>.</p>
1121.  
1122.  
1123.  
1124.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1125.      </div>
1126.  
1127.  
1128.  
1129. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MLB Thirst Trap of the Week</strong></h2>
1130.  
1131.  
1132.  
1133. <p>It’s been 20 years since the Montreal Expos left town but despite that two decade-long drought, Quebec is still making incredible contributions to baseball.<br><br>Chiefest among them: Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien.</p>
1134.  
1135.  
1136.  
1137. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&#038;auto=compress&#038;width=1120&#038;org_if_sml=1" alt="" class="wp-image-24094046" srcset="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=300 300w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=768 768w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1536w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 2048w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/edouardjulien-1024x683.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=318 318w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hey Siri, what&#8217;s French for &#8220;swipe right?&#8221;<br>Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
1138.  
1139.  
1140.  
1141.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1142.      </div>
1143.  
1144.  
1145.  
1146. <p>If Montreal wants an expansion team, all they need to do is convince MLB execs to stare into those eyes and try to tell Edouard that they’re going to Salt Lake City instead. Not even Rob Manfred is that soulless.</p>
1147. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/17/24094045/boston-red-sox-triston-casas-bobblehead-barbie-pride-night-minnesota-twins-edouard-julien/" data-wpel-link="internal">Triston Casas in a yoga pose with painted nails in Red Sox bobblehead</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1148. ]]></content:encoded>
1152. </item>
1153. <item>
1154. <title>Dueling Harrison Butker petitions want him &#8216;fired&#8217; or &#8216;hired.&#8217; One has 150k+ more signatures.</title>
1155. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093981/harrison-butker-petitions-kansas-city-chiefs-speech-nfl-benedictine-college/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=harrison-butker-petitions-kansas-city-chiefs-speech-nfl-benedictine-college</link>
1157. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cyd Zeigler]]></dc:creator>
1158. <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 18:02:05 +0000</pubDate>
1159. <category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category>
1160. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24093981</guid>
1161.  
1162. <description><![CDATA[<p>Harrison Butker continues to be the center of a lot of attention, and now dueling petitions, after his problematic speech.</p>
1163. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093981/harrison-butker-petitions-kansas-city-chiefs-speech-nfl-benedictine-college/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dueling Harrison Butker petitions want him &#8216;fired&#8217; or &#8216;hired.&#8217; One has 150k+ more signatures.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1164. ]]></description>
1165. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
1166. <p><a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/13/24093811/harrison-butker-nfl-catholic-benedictine-college-kansas-city-chiefs/" data-wpel-link="internal">Harrison Butker</a> is the focus of a couple of Change.org online petitions, one of which wants to see him released by the Kansas City Chiefs. The other wants to keep cheering him on as some people claim his statements were just &#8220;Catholic beliefs.&#8221;</p>
1167.  
1168.  
1169.  
1170. <p>Butker <a href="https://www.queerty.com/all-of-harrison-butkers-worst-nightmares-are-coming-true-after-he-bashed-pride-told-women-to-go-back-to-the-kitchen-20240516" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">infamously gave a commencement speech at Benedictine College last weekend</a>, in which he attacked the gays and trans people, while telling the women in the audience they will be most happy abandoning their career aspirations and becoming homemakers.</p>
1171.  
1172.  
1173.  
1174. <p>The <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/15/24093872/harrison-butker-women-gay-sexist-speech-kansas-city-chiefs-nfl/" data-wpel-link="internal">NFL has even come out publicly against what he said</a>.</p>
1175.  
1176.  
1177.  
1178. <p>The <a href="https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-kansas-city-chiefs-to-dismiss-harrison-butker-for-discriminatory-remarks" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">first petition, to get him released, has over 192,000 signatures as of Friday morning</a>. It demands the Kansas City Chiefs dismiss Harrison Butker for discriminatory remarks.</p>
1179.  
1180.  
1181.  <blockquote>
1182.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
1183.    <p>
1184.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
1185.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
1186.    </p>
1187.  </blockquote>
1188.  
1189.  
1190.  
1191. <p>&#8220;We demand accountability from our sports figures who should be role models promoting respect for all people regardless of their race, gender identity or sexual orientation. We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct.&#8221;</p>
1192.  
1193.  
1194.  
1195. <p>The other <a href="https://www.change.org/p/i-support-kansas-city-chiefs-kicker-harrison-butker" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">petition, to keep him on the team and show him support</a>, has 12,000. </p>
1196.  
1197.  
1198.  
1199. <p>&#8220;Contrary to the irrational beliefs by those trying to cancel Harrison Butker, he is not calling for or &#8216;fostering harm&#8217; to folks who identify as LGBTQ, women or Biden supporters,&#8221; the supportive petition reads. &#8220;Now is the time to stand up together for an athlete that doesn’t bow down to the threats of the intolerant Left.&#8221;</p>
1200.  
1201.  
1202.  
1203. <p>Ultimately, it would be shocking to see the Chiefs release him. NFL teams are well-known for looking past indiscretions by players. Players have said and done dumb stuff, even harmful things, for decades. I can&#8217;t think of the last one who was let go by a team for speech.</p>
1204.  
1205.  
1206.  
1207.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1208.      </div>
1209.  
1210.  
1211.  
1212.  
1213.  
1214. <p>Plus, Butker is a big contributor to the Chiefs on the field. He&#8217;s helped them win three Super Bowls, he&#8217;s been the league&#8217;s scoring leader one season, and he has some Super Bowl records.</p>
1215.  
1216.  
1217.  
1218. <p>The chances of him being released by the Chiefs are about zero. Though at some point he and the team are going to have to address this. His comments, particularly those about women in the workplace, have been a P.R. nightmare, and a fanbase that is increasingly made up of women, deserves an explanation. </p>
1219. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093981/harrison-butker-petitions-kansas-city-chiefs-speech-nfl-benedictine-college/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dueling Harrison Butker petitions want him &#8216;fired&#8217; or &#8216;hired.&#8217; One has 150k+ more signatures.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1220. ]]></content:encoded>
1224. </item>
1225. <item>
1226. <title>Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia, while LGBTQ people fight for their lives</title>
1227. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093936/tyson-fury-oleksandr-usyk-boxing-fight-saudi-arabia-lgbtq-human-rights/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=tyson-fury-oleksandr-usyk-boxing-fight-saudi-arabia-lgbtq-human-rights</link>
1229. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Holmes]]></dc:creator>
1230. <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 17:23:41 +0000</pubDate>
1231. <category><![CDATA[Boxing]]></category>
1232. <category><![CDATA[human rights]]></category>
1233. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24093936</guid>
1234.  
1235. <description><![CDATA[<p>The purse for “Ring of Fire” between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh is reportedly $150 million. Is it covering up LGBTQ abuses?</p>
1236. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093936/tyson-fury-oleksandr-usyk-boxing-fight-saudi-arabia-lgbtq-human-rights/" data-wpel-link="internal">Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia, while LGBTQ people fight for their lives</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1237. ]]></description>
1238. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
1239. <p>The first fight this century to decide who is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world will be held Saturday in Saudi Arabia.</p>
1240.  
1241.  
1242.  
1243. <p>Around 25,000 fans are expected at Riyadh&#8217;s Kingdom Arena and millions more will pay to watch as <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2019/10/11/20908711/tyson-fury-wwe-crown-jewel-homophobia-transphobia/" data-wpel-link="internal">Tyson Fury</a> and Oleksandr Usyk slug it out for a purse worth a reported $150 million.</p>
1244.  
1245.  
1246.  
1247. <p>Blood was spilled early on in fight week when <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/john-fury-usyk-headbutt-video-b2544166.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Fury’s father was left with a gash on his forehead</a> in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel after headbutting a member of Usyk’s entourage for being &#8220;very disrespectful.&#8221;</p>
1248.  
1249.  
1250.  
1251. <p>It’s rare to see such aggression outside the boxing ring in strictly conservative Saudi Arabia. But John Fury’s injury was a mere scratch compared to what the state inflicts on its most dissenting citizens.</p>
1252.  
1253.  
1254.  <blockquote>
1255.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
1256.    <p>
1257.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
1258.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
1259.    </p>
1260.  </blockquote>
1261.  
1262. <p>From January to April, <a href="https://euh.global.ssl.fastly.net/en/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ab%d9%84%d8%ab-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%88%d9%84-%d9%85%d9%86-2024-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b3%d8%b9%d9%88%d8%af%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a5%d8%b9%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%aa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">55 people were executed in the Gulf state</a>, according to Ministry of Interior figures. The European Saudi Organization for Human Rights (ESOHR) reports that two of those put to death were women. More than a third of those killed had no sentence recorded.</p>
1263.  
1264.  
1265.  
1266. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1267.  
1268.  
1269.  
1270.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1271.      </div>
1272.  
1273.  
1274.  
1275. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
1276. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The executions in the first third of 2024 herald another bloody year in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">#SaudiArabia</a>.<br><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/1f534.png" alt="🔴" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> At least 71 threatened with execution are in danger, including 9 minors. We believe the number is higher.<a href="https://t.co/QhXbhSwv4I" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">https://t.co/QhXbhSwv4I</a> <a href="https://t.co/wpm70W26Nb" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">pic.twitter.com/wpm70W26Nb</a></p>&mdash; ESOHR (@ESOHumanRightsE) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESOHumanRightsE/status/1790306520225153445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">May 14, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
1277. </div></figure>
1278.  
1279.  
1280.  
1281. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1282.  
1283.  
1284.  
1285. <p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/08/29/saudi-arabia-man-sentenced-death-tweets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Mohammad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi</a>, a retired schoolteacher, is among those on death row. His “crime” was posting his opinions <em>on social media</em><strong><em>. </em></strong></p>
1286.  
1287.  
1288.  
1289. <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/14/saudi-arabia-boxing-fury-usyk-riyadh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Manahel al-Otaibi</a> has been sentenced to 11 years in jail for “her choice of clothing and support for women’s rights.” Many more are incarcerated.</p>
1290.  
1291.  
1292.  
1293. <p>Amid all these human rights abuses, relatively little is said about the plight of LGBTQ people in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is criminalized and online activity closely monitored. </p>
1294.  
1295.  
1296.  
1297. <p>One of the few advocates for this community is Tariq Aziz.</p>
1298.  
1299.  
1300.  
1301. <p>He is originally from Dammam and was imprisoned in May 2021 for 12 months after being told <a href="https://twitter.com/t_alaziz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">his tweets</a> violated Sharia law, having previously been harassed by police for being effeminate. Aziz is gay and identifies as nonbinary.</p>
1302.  
1303.  
1304.  
1305. <p>He fled Saudi Arabia last year and now lives in San Francisco, where he is studying human rights and working with the Alwan Foundation, the nonprofit organization set up by Qatari activist <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2022/11/23/23473299/nasser-mohamed-gay-qatar-proud-maroons-world-cup-lgbtq/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dr. Nas Mohamed</a>.</p>
1306.  
1307.  
1308.  
1309. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1310.  
1311.  
1312. <div class="wp-block-image">
1313. <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="592" src="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/tariq1.jpg?auto=format&#038;auto=compress&#038;width=1120&#038;org_if_sml=1" alt="" class="wp-image-24093938" srcset="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/tariq1.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=720 720w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/tariq1.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=300 300w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/tariq1.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=318 318w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Tariq Aziz came out publicly as gay and nonbinary after leaving Saudi Arabia.</em></figcaption></figure></div>
1314.  
1315.  
1316.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1317.      </div>
1318.  
1319.  
1320.  
1321. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1322.  
1323.  
1324.  
1325. <p>Aziz keeps track of Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman’s sportswashing and asks that fans watching the fight pause to think about those who are “hidden” from view.</p>
1326.  
1327.  
1328.  
1329. <p>“I know a lot of people don’t care as much about human rights — they just want fun, a good show, good sport,” Aziz tells Outsports.</p>
1330.  
1331.  
1332.  
1333. <p>“But it’s a fake picture.”</p>
1334.  
1335.  
1336.  
1337. <p>Amnesty International UK director Peter Frankental agrees, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/crgyyr3drnlo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">telling BBC Sport</a> that the big fight is a big cover-up.</p>
1338.  
1339.  
1340.  
1341. <p>&#8220;Glitzy events like Fury vs. Usyk are designed to rebrand Saudi Arabia as a &#8216;sporting hub&#8217; while deflecting attention from the country&#8217;s jailing of women&#8217;s rights activists, suppression of free speech and rampant use of the death penalty,” he said.</p>
1342.  
1343.  
1344.  
1345. <p>For Aziz, this doesn’t go far enough. His frustration stems from the continued erasure of his community, including by his fellow activists.</p>
1346.  
1347.  
1348.  
1349. <p>“The people who talk about human rights in Saudi Arabia, it’s like they’re ashamed to mention LGBTQ rights,” he says.</p>
1350.  
1351.  
1352.  
1353. <p>“It’s just focused on women’s rights and the freedom of speech — and that is very important.</p>
1354.  
1355.  
1356.  
1357. <p>“But LGBTQ is also important and nobody speaks about them. I don&#8217;t know why there is always this shame. It’s like they are nothing.”</p>
1358.  
1359.  
1360.  
1361. <p>Aziz still loves Saudi Arabia — “it’s my home, my country” — but he felt he had no option but to seek asylum abroad, and not just because of his activism.</p>
1362.  
1363.  
1364.  
1365. <p>“My papers are male, but I’m nonbinary and more feminine. That is very much a problem in Saudi Arabia,” he explains.</p>
1366.  
1367.  
1368.  
1369. <p>“If you’re gay but masculine, maybe you can hide yourself. But even if I’m just walking in the street, or I’m in the mall or a cafe, I’m asked, “why you are like a girl? Why do you have long hair and no moustache? Why is there nothing that makes us feel you are a man?”</p>
1370.  
1371.  
1372.  
1373.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1374.      </div>
1375.  
1376.  
1377.  
1378. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The two faces of Saudi Arabia</strong></h2>
1379.  
1380.  
1381.  
1382. <p>With the world watching this week, Saudi Arabia is putting on a show, stage managed by its entertainment and sports chief, Turki Alalshikh. This is the version of itself that it wants the West to see, driving tourism and investment.</p>
1383.  
1384.  
1385.  
1386. <p><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2024/05/13/tyson-fury-interview-oleksandr-usyk-riyadh-heavyweight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Fury told The Telegraph</a> this week that “Saudi is amazing, very welcoming… it’s the opposite out here to what I had heard.” Not that a sportsman with a well-documented history of homophobia would take much interest in LGBTQ rights.</p>
1387.  
1388.  
1389.  
1390. <p>Aziz calls out the hypocrisy, such as how <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/freundin-cristiano-ronaldo-bikini-fotos-georgina-rodriguez-gegen-gesetze-saudi-arabien/bltd400422f3db51c34" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez</a> is allowed to post pictures of herself in a bikini on social media from within the country. “The government has two faces. One face deals with the foreign tourist, and the other face — the ugly one — deals with things like the Saudi LGBTQ.”</p>
1391.  
1392.  
1393.  
1394.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1395.      </div>
1396.  
1397.  
1398.  
1399. <p>He mentions <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/3/24092969/daria-kasatkina-wta-finals-saudi-arabia-gay-lgbtq-manahel-al-otaibi/" data-wpel-link="internal">the recent pledge given to female tennis players who have girlfriends</a> and who might qualify for the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November, that they can share a hotel room. “It’s actually funny that they said we are accepting lesbian players now.”</p>
1400.  
1401.  
1402.  
1403. <p>Since last year, <a href="https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/help-support" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">the Visit Saudi website</a> has included the question “Are LGBT visitors welcome to visit Saudi?” among its FAQs. “Everyone is welcome,” reads the guidance. “We will strongly respect your right to privacy.” </p>
1404.  
1405.  
1406.  
1407. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1408.  
1409.  
1410.  
1411. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1125" height="272" src="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/screenshot1.png?auto=format&#038;auto=compress&#038;width=1120&#038;org_if_sml=1" alt="" class="wp-image-24093940" srcset="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/screenshot1.png?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1125w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/screenshot1.png?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=300 300w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/screenshot1.png?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/screenshot1.png?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=768 768w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/screenshot1.png?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=318 318w" sizes="(max-width: 1125px) 100vw, 1125px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This Q&amp;A is part of the General Information section on VisitSaudi.com</em></figcaption></figure>
1412.  
1413.  
1414.  
1415.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1416.      </div>
1417.  
1418.  
1419.  
1420. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1421.  
1422.  
1423.  
1424. <p>Despite this, <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/1/10/24033702/barcelona-fans-gay-lgbtq-saudi-arabia-laws-supercopa/" data-wpel-link="internal">FC Barcelona felt it necessary to issue a warning</a> to any LGBTQ fans who might have traveled there for the Supercopa match in January.</p>
1425.  
1426.  
1427.  
1428. <p>Meanwhile, influential figures within Saudi Arabia are dishing out advice to the country&#8217;s 37 million citizens on how to treat LGBTQ people. Aziz recalls <a href="https://www.saudigazette.com.sa/article/634071" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">a widely reported sermon given last year by the imam of Mecca’s Grand Mosque</a>.</p>
1429.  
1430.  
1431.  
1432. <p>“He spoke publicly about how we should as Muslims hate LGBTQ. And how we didn’t accept that in our society.</p>
1433.  
1434.  
1435.  
1436. <p>“Families don’t accept LGBTQ people because the problem is not only with the government, it’s with the society. But it’s the government that feeds hate.”</p>
1437.  
1438.  
1439.  
1440. <p>Most members of Aziz’s own family have cut him off. He is grateful to Dr. Nas and the friends he has made through the <a href="https://www.alwanfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener external" data-wpel-link="external">Alwan Foundation</a>.</p>
1441.  
1442.  
1443.  
1444. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1445.  
1446.  
1447.  
1448.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1449.      </div>
1450.  
1451.  
1452.  
1453. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuL0Mchr4Pn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuL0Mchr4Pn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuL0Mchr4Pn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">A post shared by طارق بن عزيز tariqalaziz (@tari8alaziz)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
1454.  
1455.  
1456.  
1457. <div style="height:10px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
1458.  
1459.  
1460.  
1461. <p>They are currently assisting a gay Palestinian who was living in Qatar where they were at risk. The organization is looking to raise funds to help more refugees in similar situations who are facing persecution.&nbsp;</p>
1462.  
1463.  
1464.  
1465. <p>It’s an understatement to say LGBTQ people living in Saudi are an afterthought this week, amid all the Fury-Usyk hoopla.</p>
1466.  
1467.  
1468.  
1469. <p>But Aziz says some would have liked to watch the WTA Finals or other events in the kingdom.</p>
1470.  
1471.  
1472.  
1473. <p>“Many of them like sport, they’d like to attend these events and just be who they want to be, wear what they want to wear — but they cannot. They have to be hidden.”</p>
1474. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093936/tyson-fury-oleksandr-usyk-boxing-fight-saudi-arabia-lgbtq-human-rights/" data-wpel-link="internal">Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia, while LGBTQ people fight for their lives</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1475. ]]></content:encoded>
1479. </item>
1480. <item>
1481. <title>Teen trans sprinter Aayden Gallagher could make heads explode this week at TrackTown USA</title>
1482. <link>https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093913/teen-trans-sprinter-aayden-gallagher-could-make-heads-explode-this-week-at-tracktown-usa/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=teen-trans-sprinter-aayden-gallagher-could-make-heads-explode-this-week-at-tracktown-usa</link>
1484. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Karleigh Webb]]></dc:creator>
1485. <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2024 16:33:40 +0000</pubDate>
1486. <category><![CDATA[high school]]></category>
1487. <category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
1488. <category><![CDATA[Track and Field]]></category>
1489. <category><![CDATA[Trans Athletes]]></category>
1490. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.outsports.com/?p=24093913</guid>
1491.  
1492. <description><![CDATA[<p>Aayden Gallagher is a trans girl competing in female high school track in Oregon, who may be the next flashpoint in the trans athlete debate.</p>
1493. <p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093913/teen-trans-sprinter-aayden-gallagher-could-make-heads-explode-this-week-at-tracktown-usa/" data-wpel-link="internal">Teen trans sprinter Aayden Gallagher could make heads explode this week at TrackTown USA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1494. ]]></description>
1495. <content:encoded><![CDATA[
1496. <p>To many American teenagers, the month of May means the pageantry of proms and graduations. For those engaged in high school springs sports, May also means destiny and victory on the ball field, pitches and tracks from coast to coast.</p>
1497.  
1498.  
1499.  
1500. <p>One of the those events starts Thursday on the same hallowed ground where a U.S. Olympic team will be chosen a month from now. The 2024 Oregon State High School Track and Field Championships will be held at iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.</p>
1501.  
1502.  
1503.  
1504. <p>Among those high schoolers competing in the shadows of legends and Nike is a 10th grader from Portland named Aayden Gallagher. She&#8217;s a power sprinter with a strong stride and definitive knee lift. Her main races are the 200-meter and 400-meter, where she has had some impressive wins. </p>
1505.  
1506.  
1507.  
1508. <p>Although she&#8217;s at the top of the time charts and unofficially in the top 50 nationally, she&#8217;s not known much outside of Oregon. Yet certain people with socio political axes to grind may change that, just like they have with others like her in recent years.</p>
1509.  
1510.  
1511.  <blockquote>
1512.    <h3>Get off the sidelines and into the game</h3>
1513.    <p>
1514.      Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.<br />
1515.      <a href="https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/idlovwvhh7utf3wiw60e" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Subscribe to our Newsletter today</strong></a>
1516.    </p>
1517.  </blockquote>
1518.  
1519.  
1520.  
1521. <p>You may remember some of the names: <em><a href="https://www.outsports.com/2017/4/13/15259382/andraya-yearwood-trans-athlete-track/" data-wpel-link="internal">Andraya Yearwood</a>. <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2020/2/25/21151031/transgender-chelsea-mitchell-terry-miller-adf-lawsuit-connecticut-track-and-field/" data-wpel-link="internal">Terry Miller</a>. <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2019/12/26/21034806/outsports-female-athlete-year-cece-telfer-ncaa-transgender/" data-wpel-link="internal">Cece Telfer</a>. <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2018/2/23/17042524/mack-beggs-wrestling-texas-trans-high-school/" data-wpel-link="internal">Mack Beggs</a>. <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2022/3/17/22983857/lia-thomas-wins-ncaa-championship-in-500-freestyle/" data-wpel-link="internal">Lia Thomas</a>.</em></p>
1522.  
1523.  
1524.  
1525. <p>Gallagher is a transgender girl in a state that affirms her right to compete on a girl&#8217;s team. Oregon requires no medical or hormonal transition for trans athletes to compete in any gendered category, and the state allows nonbinary athletes to simply choose their gender category in sports, regardless of any medical interventions.</p>
1526.  
1527.  
1528.  
1529. <p><a href="https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/521221/results" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">When she raced to second place at 200 meters, and won the 400 meters at a meet in April</a>, that fact didn&#8217;t sit well with a group of Republican legislators in her state.</p>
1530.  
1531.  
1532.  
1533. <p><a href="https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/senaterepublicans/Documents/2024-4-16%20House%20and%20Senate%20Republican%20Women%20Send%20Letter%20to%20OSAA%20Calling%20for%20Immediate%20Protection%20of%20Girls%20in%20High%20School%20Sports.pdf" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">They promptly called on the Oregon State Activities Association, the governing body for high school sports in the state, to change their policy</a></p>
1534.  
1535.  
1536.  
1537. <p>The OSAA&#8217;s executive director, Peter Weber, stood up and publicly defended the policy. <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/highschoolsports/2024/04/osaa-defends-policy-on-transgender-athletes-in-response-to-rankled-republican-lawmakers.html" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">He met their letter with one of his own. </a></p>
1538.  
1539.  
1540.  
1541. <p>&#8220;Oregon law has long prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,&#8221; the letter states. &#8220;In 2019, the Oregon Department of Education amended its rules that &#8216;sexual orientation&#8217; was defined to include &#8216;gender identity.&#8217; The Oregon legislature likewise amended the definition of &#8216;sexual orientation&#8217; to include &#8216;gender identity.'&#8221;</p>
1542.  
1543.  
1544.  
1545. <p>In response, there is a call to put forth legislation that would ban transgender girls and strip any achievements they may have earned. </p>
1546.  
1547.  
1548.  
1549. <p>True to form, the anti-trans lobby pushing <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/3/14/24088465/ncaa-riley-gaines-lawsuit-transgender-athletes-lia-thomas-inclusion/" data-wpel-link="internal">a lawsuit against the NCAA</a> made this their latest outrage with right-wing media outlets boosting the signal. One such outlet showed a video of Gallagher winning an event with headlines screaming about &#8220;DOMINATION&#8221; during a generally slower preliminary heat.</p>
1550.  
1551.  
1552.  
1553. <p>In the final of that event, Gallagher fought to a narrow win.</p>
1554.  
1555.  
1556.  
1557.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1558.      </div>
1559.  
1560.  
1561.  
1562.  
1563.  
1564. <p>The mainstream outlets nationally haven&#8217;t picked up this media dynamic. </p>
1565.  
1566.  
1567.  
1568. <p>In the local coverage there seems to be an aversion to saying &#8220;transgender girl.&#8221; One anchor, Matt Templeman of  Eugene&#8217;s  KEZI-TV, referred to Gallagher as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p2pjhDZ_XA&amp;t=8s" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">&#8220;A male student who competed against girls&#8221;</a> and in a different report as a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3YTbdXA63s&amp;t=1s" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">&#8220;biological male.&#8221;</a></p>
1569.  
1570.  
1571.  
1572. <p>Such doesn&#8217;t surprise <a href="https://www.juniperlsimonis.com/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Dr. Juniper Simonis.</a> They are based in Portland and understand the science of the issue, with a PhD in biology. They also know the sports side as a three-time world champion roller derby athlete. </p>
1573.  
1574.  
1575.  
1576.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1577.      </div>
1578.  
1579.  
1580.  
1581.  
1582.  
1583. <p>Simonis is also trans and concerned that some of the darker anti-trans elements may come to the light.</p>
1584.  
1585.  
1586.  
1587. <p>&#8220;This fight against trans athletes is going on even in places like Oregon,&#8221; Simonis noted. &#8220;It&#8217;s not just about athletes. There are bills introduced here every year. The prevalence of these bills making to a floor vote is scary, and Oregon is in that boat.&#8221;</p>
1588.  
1589.  
1590.  
1591. <p>&#8220;As good as it is as a state, there a lot of vocal bad people when it comes to trans acceptance,&#8221; they continued. &#8220;I fear a bit that this state meet is going to be a focal point for that.&#8221;</p>
1592.  
1593.  
1594.  
1595. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="430" src="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&#038;auto=compress&#038;width=1120&#038;org_if_sml=1" alt="" class="wp-image-24093955" srcset="https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=300 300w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=768 768w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1536w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=318 318w, https://cosxeuwlta.cloudimg.io/_outsports-prodweb_/uploads/2024/05/terry-andraya-change-the-game-1024x430.jpg?auto=format&amp;auto=compress&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=1120 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Terry Miller (left) and Andraya Yearwood (right) faced the same crucible Aayden Gallagher may face this weekend as high school athletes in Connecticut | Changing The game</figcaption></figure>
1596.  
1597.  
1598.  
1599.  <div class=" adb-os-inarticle" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-os-inarticle">
1600.      </div>
1601.  
1602.  
1603.  
1604.  
1605.  
1606. <p>Some in the stands will be boo birds against Gallagher the same way some were against Andraya Yearwood and Terry Miller at a track in Connecticut. The echoes of the barbs toward Mack Beggs in a Texas arena weren&#8217;t so long ago. Don&#8217;t believe me? Find a copy of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SogJSMhPqI0" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">Changing The Game</a> and watch.</p>
1607.  
1608.  
1609.  
1610. <p>It&#8217;s only been two years since professional transphobes from two countries flew to a college swim meet <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99vd6ezTPQs&amp;t=316s" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">where their only objective was harassing Lia Thomas.</a> It was just three weeks since West Virginia&#8217;s attorney general publicly equated a 13-year-old transgender girl with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRpFMyhKt0A&amp;t=1365s" data-wpel-link="external" rel="external noopener noreferrer">&#8220;hulking male in the locker rooms&#8221;.</a></p>
1611.  
1612.  
1613.  
1614. <p>My hope for this week is that those kind of people stay silent. Yes, it&#8217;s a fool hope. </p>
1615.  
1616.  
1617.  
1618. <p>A more likely thing? That people of good will who respect sportsmanship and inclusion speak out.</p>
1619.  
1620.  
1621.  
1622. <p>&#8220;I believe there will be plenty of vocal supporters of this young athlete and I hope they are really vocal in person,&#8221; Simonis said. &#8220;For me, the way I made it through moments like that was the support of my teammates and my community. Anybody who is able to actually cheer needs to bring their cheering A-Game.&#8221;</p>
1623.  
1624.  
1625.  
1626. <p>My hope for Aayden Gallagher? That she can block out the noise, get out of the blocks, do her best and enjoy performing on a special, and legendary, stage in her sport.</p>
1627.  
1628.  
1629.  
1630. <p></p>
1631. <div class="outstream-ad-holder"><div id="div-gpt-ad-outstreamplayer" class="adb-oplayer" data-adbridg-ad-class="adb-oplayer"></div></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/16/24093913/teen-trans-sprinter-aayden-gallagher-could-make-heads-explode-this-week-at-tracktown-usa/" data-wpel-link="internal">Teen trans sprinter Aayden Gallagher could make heads explode this week at TrackTown USA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.outsports.com" data-wpel-link="internal">Outsports</a>.</p>
1632. ]]></content:encoded>
1636. </item>
1637. </channel>
1638. </rss>
1639.  

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

1. Download the "valid RSS" banner.

2. Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)

3. Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

   <a href="http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//www.outsports.com/feed/"><img src="valid-rss-rogers.png" alt="[Valid RSS]" title="Validate my RSS feed" /></a>

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//www.outsports.com/feed/

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms