The UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs are teaming up to host a pair of events on Monday, April 15. One event will reach out to coaches and staff, and the other will focus on student-athletes and UCLA students. The student-focused event is expected to draw about 1,000 people.
Panelists will speak on the topic of Standing Up Against Homophobia and Bullying in Sports and Recreation: Building an Inclusive and Safe Environment for LGBT Student-Athletes, Coaches, Staff and Fans. Among the panelists are Ben Cohen (StandUp Foundation), Julie Adams (UCLA All-American softball player), Brian Kitts (You Can Play), Kirk Walker (UCLA softball coach), Billy Bean (former MLB player), and Jessica Mendoza (Olympic softball player and ESPN analyst). Cyd Zeigler will be moderating some of the discussions.
These two events are being hosted by UCLA Athlete Allies, a collaboration of administrators, coaches and staff from Athletics and Recreation who are working to build respect, inclusion and equality. It is in association with UCLA Ally Week, a week-long initiative that seeks to reach out to the entire UCLA community in an effort to spread awareness, education, and information about the LGBT communities and what it means to support the LGBT community.
This is the second consecutive year that an ally event has been held for UCLA student-athletes.
