June is national Pride Month and the conversation around LGBTQIA+ community members and sports has recently been brought to the forefront.Carl Nassib, the NFL’s first active player to come out as gay, has local advocates highlighting the importance of having a public figure to look up to. “On the continuum on sort of what it means to be masculine in this society we’re talking about someone who’s really breaking down norms and saying this is who I am and I’m also a great athlete,” said Dana Kaplan, the executive director, Outright Vermont.In 2021 alone, 58 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in 33 states – including Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire – banning trans youth from joining gender specific sports teams.The former president of the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association (VSADA) says it’s not a new conversation – but one that’s ongoing.“When we have somebody – and a public figure, such as this, that’s able to step forward and provide that role model of confidence and acceptance in oneself, that’s a win for everybody,” said Hank Van Orman, the former president of VSADA.The Vermont Principals Association specifically encourages all young people to participate in sports – no matter how they identify.
June is national Pride Month and the conversation around LGBTQIA+ community members and sports has recently been brought to the forefront.
Carl Nassib, the NFL’s first active player to come out as gay, has local advocates highlighting the importance of having a public figure to look up to.
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“On the continuum on sort of what it means to be masculine in this society we’re talking about someone who’s really breaking down norms and saying this is who I am and I’m also a great athlete,” said Dana Kaplan, the executive director, Outright Vermont.
In 2021 alone, 58 anti-transgender bills have been introduced in 33 states – including Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire – banning trans youth from joining gender specific sports teams.
The former president of the Vermont State Athletic Directors Association (VSADA) says it’s not a new conversation – but one that’s ongoing.
“When we have somebody – and a public figure, such as this, that’s able to step forward and provide that role model of confidence and acceptance in oneself, that’s a win for everybody,” said Hank Van Orman, the former president of VSADA.
The Vermont Principals Association specifically encourages all young people to participate in sports – no matter how they identify.
