Hate Crimes March And GLSEN Dinner Highlights That LGBT Community's Work Is Not Done!

 

 

NBA Commissioner David Sterns, Jason Collins and GLSEN President Eliza Byard

As thousands marched through the streets of the West Village on Monday night to protest the rash of hate crimes hitting Manhattan, Mark Carson was on everyone's minds as an entire city mourns his loss. There was moving testimony from the victims of recent hate crimes and from Carson's family.

A few blocks up at Gotham Hall, GLSEN was having their annual dinner. The stage was filled with courage and powerful stories. GLSEN is an outstanding organization that is providing safe places for tens of thousands of LGBT students. Without GLSEN, the death toll from young LGBT suicides would be much higher.

At that dinner, Jason Collins electrified the room with his first New York appearance. The world knows of Collin's courage. How appropriate he made his first stop at the GLSEN Dinner because his act of courage will inspire thousands of our young.

However, the real stars of the GLSEN Dinner might be two young men who overcame incredible humiliation and bullying to stand up at the dinner and show unbelievable raw courage that even inspired Jason Collins. As these young men faced unbelievable obstacles, GLSEN got them through it.

Leo Washington (above) has two loves in his life - football and fashion. He grew up in Bainbridge, Georgia and his first year of high school was a living hell. He was bullied, verbally abused and humiliated for being a gay football player. The word 'Faggot" was slung at him in the hallways of the school all the time. The coach made him change in the women's locker room so the other players would haven't to change with him.

 

At a cousin's suggestion, he transferred to Hollywood Hills High School in South Florida. That high school has an active GLSEN chapter and as a result Leo was welcomed with opening arms. He became Co-Captain of his football team and his fellow players had his back. He even has been nominated to be 'Homecoming King' at the prom. His words of courage from the stage last night as he presented Collins his award moved everyone.

Also speaking last night was young Andrew Lawless from Portland, Tennessee. Here is his brave story that he shared from the stage last night in front of a thousand people. This young man has courage for a middle name. This story was printed in an earlier opinion piece that he wrote but share with us:

I never expected to become a target of violence. But then again, who does?

At school, I had a 3.6 GPA and more or less enjoyed my classes. I was proud to be granted approval to graduate a year early. It fueled my aspirations for college with New York University at the top of my list.

I was also actively involved at school and in my community. I started a bullying prevention club on campus and became a part of GLSEN Middle Tennessee’s Jump-Start Leadership Team that advocates for safer schools issues in my area.

I was relatively happy. But much of my drive and positivity changed in mere minutes.

January 18 was like any other day at school. I remember not having any homework. A pep rally was scheduled and everyone was pumped. In a small school like mine, you can feel the excitement and energy flowing through the air.

I was sitting in French class trying to grasp a verb conjugation when I suddenly had an idea involving a field trip for our bullying prevention club. I received permission to leave class and headed off to speak with my club’s faculty advisor about the idea.

On my way, I stopped at one of the school’s bathrooms. I didn’t think anything of it until a bad feeling overwhelmed me when I entered the bathroom. That feeling was only confirmed when I heard someone say, “Hey faggot.”

I was slammed against the wall where two male students continued hurling antigay slurs at me. I didn’t know what to do because I was afraid and nothing like this had ever happened to me or anyone I know.

The two students pushed me into a stall. And that’s when my safety was taken from me. I had become a victim of sexual assault.

Both students eventually left. That’s when I slouched on the bathroom floor, completely numb. I could no longer feel the excitement in the air and no smile lined my face that I always admired for. I was hurt physically and emotionally more than I ever thought possible. I had just been violated.

At the time, I didn’t want anyone to know what happened. So I kept the incident to myself without reporting it to anyone at school. I felt ashamed and was especially afraid my friends would look down on me. I didn’t want them to know that I failed to scream and get away. That I didn’t fight back.

I ended up missing nearly two solid months of school because of the fear, shame and depression.

My grades fell to a 3.0 GPA. Now, I will only be able to achieve a 3.5 GPA if I make straight A’s during the rest of my time in school; this could ruin my chances for applying to New York University.

I am now back at school, but it has become radically different for me. I now change clothes for gym class in a separate bathroom. I only use faculty restrooms for similar reasons.

Now both men, with their mothers at their sides, demanded that we match their courage. They reminded us the fight is not over by any stretch of the imagination. Without GLSEN, these two young future leaders might not have been on the stage. Either one could have taken their lives because of their horrendous story but instead they stood before us not as victims but as heroes.

Thank you GLSEN.

Editorial Cartoon of the Week: Four Jason Collins Cartoons

Jason Collins Stands On The Huge Shoulders Of LGBT Sporting Pioneers

 

 

At times in the last couple of days, it seems as if the entire world is celebrating (and even somewhat relieved) that at last an active sporting star in the major leagues has come out of the closet. Jason Collins has captured the heart of not only the LGBT community but a nation. This man represents all that is the best in the LGBT community.

However there are two important points to be remembered over the next weeks:

1. Mr. Collins is newly out of the closet and he will likely make a misstep doing this remarkable new journey. Please be patient with him and offer a helping hand to show him the way instead of critiquing him. His new found freedom will be tempered with new found ways, responsibilities and knowledge. Cut him so slack and give him your support.

2. Mr. Collins reached this point on the shoulders of so great sporting legends. He is not the first athlete to come out. He is just the first still playing in one of the three major male sports of baseball, football and basketball.

The list of brave souls who have pioneered the path for Jason Collins is impressive.

-National Football League player Dave Kopay came out of the closet in 1975.

-Tennis player Billie Jean King in the early 1980's.

-Baseball player Glenn Burke was known by his team to be gay and died of AIDS in 1995.

-Olympic Diver Greg Louganis (above)who came out as both gay and HIV Positive. One of the bravest and nicest men I have ever met.

-Olympic Decathlon Track Star Tom Waddell (above)who was founder of the Gay Games.

-National Basketball Player John Amaechi who was not playing when he came out but was the first NBA star to say "I am gay".

-Tennis star Martina Navratilova (below) who came out and was an activist in the struggle for freedom.

-Baseball Player Billie Bean who played in the major leagues and came out when he retired.

These are just the tip of the iceberg of our sports heroes. The names of Orlando Cruz, Matthew Mitcham, Jerry Smith, Garth Thomas, Robbie Roberts, Ian Roberts Johnny Weir, Esera Tualo, Megan Rapinoe and so many, many others come to mind.

The list of those who made Jason Collins possible can go on and on. Check it out here.

New York Times: Frank Bruni Excellent Column On Jason Collins

 

 

 

The New York Times columnist Frank Bruni has written a brilliant column on the 'coming out' of basketball player Jason Collins. He captures the moment perfectly.

Here is an excerpt but be sure to read the entire opinion piece.

That’s the integrated way that things should be, the unremarkable way a person’s sexual orientation ought to be lived and perceived. And that’s precisely what Collins and his fellow trailblazers are trying to move us toward: not a constant discussion of the rightful place and treatment of L.G.B.T. people in America, but an America in which the discussion is no longer necessary. He’s letting us focus on his gayness precisely so we can focus less on others’ down the road.

I point that out because I know that some conversation in the days to come, perhaps not public discussion but certainly private grumbling, will include questions about why Collins has to rock the boat, why the news media is paying such lavish heed to him and why gays and lesbians in general make such a fuss of things. I know this from my in-box, where some readers routinely tell me that they’d be less bothered by homosexuals if we’d just please shut up about it.

Many of us want to, and will: when a gay, lesbian or transgendered kid isn’t at special risk of being brutalized or committing suicide. When the federal government outlaws discrimination against people based on sexual orientation, which it still hasn’t done.

When immigration laws give same-sex couples the same consideration that they do heterosexual ones. When the Defense of Marriage Act crumbles and our committed relationships aren’t relegated to a lesser status, a diminished dignity.

When a Rutgers coach doesn’t determine that the aptly ugly garnish for hurling basketballs at his players’ heads is the slur “faggot.” When professional football scouts don’t try to ascertain that potential recruits are straight.

When an athlete like Collins can be honest about himself without he and his co-author having to stress that he’s a guy’s guy, a godly man, someone who stayed mum about himself before now precisely so he wouldn’t disrupt his teams or upset his teammates, someone who’s inhabited locker rooms for 12 seasons already without incident.

When a gay person’s central-casting earnestness and eloquence aren’t noted with excitement and relief, because his or her sexual orientation needn’t be accompanied by a litany of virtues and accomplishments in order for bigotry to be toppled and a negative reaction to be overcome.

When being gay doesn’t warrant a magazine cover or a phone call from the president, any more than being 34 or being black does.

VIDEO: A Tribute To Basketball Player Jason Collins

 

 

See this video of our new hero as history is made today!

 

OutSports: Gay Football Kicker Seeks To Play In National Football League!

 

 

 

Outsports.com has a great article today about Alan Gendreau who was a star 'kicker' for Middle Tennessee State University. He was open on the team at MTS but felt there was no room in the NFL. However given the changing environment he is attempting to gain a place on a major NFL team. He would be the first out player in NFL history.

OutSports.com reports:

Gendreau had a record-breaking career at Middle Tennessee State.

With a PAT in his final game as a Blue Raider, he became the all-time leading scorer in Sun Belt Conference history with 295 points. His longest field goal in college, at 55 yards, was the second-longest ever in the conference. That was 12 yards short of the 67-yard field goals he connected on during team practices; it was even shorter than field goals he kicked in high school.

In his sophomore and junior years, he was 28-of-34 for an 82-percent conversion rate. In 2009, he was a national semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award that honors the top college place-kicker in the U.S.

Gendreau had a tendency to convert when the team needed it most. In a big match-up at Maryland early in his sophomore year, he hit a 19-yard field goal from a badly angled left hash mark with no time left to lift his team to a huge road win. It prompted the team chaplain to nickname him "Ice," a moniker the kicker carried the rest of his college days.

His career kickoff average was only 57 yards, but Gendreau said that was due to his coach’s mandate to "pooch" most kickoffs. Given his ability to hit 67-yard field goals, and his performance that Saturday drilling the ball well over 60 yards, his explanation makes sense. He also has some speed for a kicker, logging a 4.95-second 40 time at his pro day; he recorded three tackles on kickoffs at MTSU.

After his third year, he was headed straight for a shot at the NFL.

Trouble started the first game of his senior season, in a big match-up at Purdue. His first attempt of the season was blocked when protection broke down and a defender came straight through the middle of the line. But it was the second blocked kick that lingered in his mind. With five seconds remaining in the same game, down 27-24, a defender broke through from the corner to prevent overtime.

"I was so ready to start my big push for the pros," Gendreau said. "And I connected with the ball perfectly on those kicks. They were going in. But sometimes the protection breaks down. I had great protection for three years, but on those two attempts it broke down. It messed me up for a bit."

While Gendreau was quick to not place blame, saying football is a team sport, his holder and team punter Josh Davis set the record straight: "Those weren't his fault. It was a total breakdown in protection."

READ MORE HERE......

Young LGBT People Who Are Changing The World

 

 

 

The Advocate has selected forty LGBT young people under forty who are making a difference in the world. They are "accomplished leaders in politics, sports, science, religion and the arts.". You can't help but look at this list and feel great hope for the future. Here are five of them..

Ryan Spahn
32 / New York
Actor and Student

Ryan Spahn happily acknowledges that his partner of four years, Michael Urie (of Ugly Betty fame), has the more recognizable face of the couple. In fact, he’s banking on it. Spahn’s first feature film, in theaters this May, is sardonically titled He’s Way More Famous Than You. He wrote the film with Halley Feiffer, with Urie in the director’s chair. Both Spahn and Urie star in the film, along with Tracee Chimo, Jesse Eisenberg, and But I’m a Cheerleader’s Natasha Lyonne.

While completing preproduction for Famous in 2011, Spahn penned a screenplay for another upcoming film, Grantham & Rose, a coming-of-age story featuring Feiffer as a filmmaker willing to lie, cheat, and steal to get her way, foiled by The Jeffersons’ Marla Gibbs as a feisty 81-year-old woman named Rose.

Spahn is also a third-year drama student at Juilliard. Urie, a Juilliard alum, encouraged his partner to attend, promising the education would change his life. Indeed, Spahn says he’s found funding for and self-produced all three of his feature film and a short film projects since enrolling.

“It was unexpected and thrilling,” says Spahn. “So it was more of a juggling act of scheduling the films to fall during my holiday breaks. I am a hard worker, so I managed to balance the workload of Juilliard against these filming schedules.” @ryan_spahn

Harper Jean Tobin
31 / Washington, D.C.
Director of Policy, National Center for Transgender Equality

As a young transgender woman coming of age in Louisville, Ky., Harper Jean Tobin was grateful for her supportive family and friends within her community. But while she describes Louisville as “the least conservative place in Kentucky,” she was still aware of the discrimination and transphobia that runs deep in many Southern states. That awareness led the lawyer — recently named among the best 40 LGBT attorneys under 40 by the National LGBT Bar Association — to actively fight to improve the lives, visibility, and equality of transgender people by creating inclusive federal policy. And that’s exactly what she’s done in her four years with the National Center for Transgender Equality.

“Gears sometimes turn slowly in this town,” says Tobin of the Washington infrastructure. “But we have seen tremendous progress over the past four years.”

Tobin cites 2010 revisions to federal policy that allowed transgender people to obtain passports that reflect their authentic gender without a requirement for surgical procedures. Tobin also highlights ongoing work to protect transgender prisoners and immigration detainees. Tobin says such efforts have been “quite successful” thus far, but notes that there is still much to do. She hopes NCTE’s efforts signal the beginning of “a larger and very critical conversation in our movement about the ways in which so many of our transgender youth are funneled into these harmful systems by poverty, unemployment, rejection, and discrimination.” @transequality

Alex Morse
24 / Holyoke, Mass.
Mayor

When your high school gay-straight alliance faces censorship by the school board, it helps to have the town’s mayor on your side. To be fair, Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke, Mass., founded that group back in his high school days, which weren’t that long ago. He’s only 24.

The Holyoke High School GSA planned an assembly against bullying in February, and in response a board member wanted to move it after school or require an opt-out provision because of its supposed sexual nature. Morse spoke strongly against the idea, arguing that the kids most likely to opt out would also be most in need of training. When he won and the assembly happened, the mayor was a guest speaker.

Morse shows that even a mayor for a city of about 40,000 can make a difference for LGBT Americans. “Legal protections are one thing,” he says. “Changing the hearts and minds of people is another challenge.” @mayormorse

Amir Dixon
23 / Boston
Filmmaker

Amir Dixon recently made history when his film Friend of Essex screened at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, one of the nation’s preeminent historically African-American colleges. The documentary drama explores the lives of young black gay men today and “looks at how we are seen in the black community through the scope of religion, how we are seen in the [larger] LGBTQ community, and in turn how we see ourselves,” Dixon says. The film has prompted discussions on race, masculinity, identity, and sexuality. This is what he hopes to achieve wherever Friend of Essex screens. “[I hope to set a] national agenda for LGBTQ people of color that is inclusive of all of our experiences,” he says. “This isn’t about me but about us.” @amirnow

Danielle Moodie-Mills
33 / Washington, D.C.
Director of Education Advocacy, National Wildlife Federation

If you think you’re busy, you haven’t met Danielle Moodie-Mills. She’s the director of education advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation, a board member for the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League, and an adviser for LGBT policy and racial justice with Fighting Injustice to Reach Equality, an initiative of the Center for American Progress. In her spare time, she maintains a blog (ThreeLOL.com) and hosts a radio show (Politini at BLIS.fm), both of which she manages with her wife. But she doesn’t mind her industrious life. “I’m really passionate about all those pieces because they really reflect to my core, which is social justice and working for equality across the board for all people,” she says.

Moodie-Mills’s latest work with NWF centers on encouraging kids to put down the Xbox and get active, and her latest project with FIRE involves helping LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system. “I’m really proud to do the work I do,” she says. @deetwocents

SEE THE ENTIRE LIST BY CLICKING HERE........

United States Soccer Star Comes Out But Retires! If Only.......

 

 

 

One of the biggest soccer stars in the United States came out of the closet today and then immediately retired from the sport at the age of twenty-five. While there is joy at another person finding the personal freedom and courage to come out, personally there is some real disappointment.

Soccer Star Robbie Rogers already has distinguished himself on the field of play. He represented the United States on the 2008 Olympic team. Roberts was a player in Major League Soccer (MLS) and was a star player for the Columbus (Ohio) Crew. The team went on to win the MLS Cup when Rogers played for them.

In addition, he was known around the world for skills on the field and played for Leeds United in England.

The disappointment was that he retired as soon as he came out of the closet. Wouldn't it have been extraordinary that the twenty-five year old could have played just for one year as an out player. What a ground breaking moment that would have been. Instead it gives the appearance of him coming out and leaving his passion for sport because he is gay.

Trust me, I am thrilled for him and wish him well but can't help but go "If only if......".

Rogers was raised in Southern California and has over 75,000 Twitter followers.

College Baseball Play Comes Out To His Team

 

 

 

Calling all closeted major league baseball players! You can now find courage in the story of Sean Karson who is a star player on the MIT baseball team. Sean just came out to his team mates and coaching staff. The Florida native is a third baseman who is hitting .350 and is Co-Captain of this year's MIT team.

The chemistry major felt the time had long pass for coming out. The junior in college was disturbed by the lack of open LGBT players in the major leagues. He wanted the younger generation of jocks to have a good role model. Who knows, maybe a major league will draft him and he might just become the first out major league player!

Karson joins University of Maine baseball player James Nutter who recently came out to his team.

The Boston Herald reported:

A couple of days ago, during an indoor practice at MIT, Karson asked coach Andy Barlow if he could say a few words to his teammates.

“I had no idea what he had in mind,” Barlow said. “He had just returned from a conference in California, so I assumed he was going to talk about his company.”

Instead, Karson took a deep breath, and told his coaches and teammates that he’s gay.

“They came up and gave me high fives and said they’d have my back and everything,” he said. “It was so supportive, it was ridiculous.”

Karson did notice a couple of teammates held back, but got emails from them afterward saying "how much they respected me, but that they needed to collect their thoughts first."

So deeply emotional was Karson’s decision to come out that later that night, during an interview at his MIT dorm, he was still welling up with tears.

“I barely held it together,” he said. “I was probably not the most coherent person when I was giving that speech, but that was the third time I cried in the past week. And this is the fourth, I guess.”

Karson is bright, ambitious, breezy and outgoing, but he was surprised by the crying, something he says he did very little of through the years.

“I have never been myself up until very recently,” he said. “Everything’s been just sort of cold and calculated. I’ve been in this fortress, I guess, and haven’t let my emotions out at all.

“I worried that I had no emotions, that I didn’t feel much about anything. It was really weird.”

After dwelling so long about his decision to come out, he’s marveling at how easy it was. And while we have yet to have an active male athlete come out in professional team sports, Karson thinks it’s going to happen soon. Real soon.

“I think it’s going to happen in the next month,” he said, boldly. “Nobody’s going to throw at you if you’re the gay person on the team. I feel great. I’m not scared.”

Thanks to Andy Towle of Towleroad.com.