Month: April 2013

(This story was published in 2005). Basketball star Sheryl Swoopes, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time MVP of the WNBA, has come out publicly as a lesbian, making her the highest-profile team sport athlete to come out while playing. Swoopes, 34, has been hired as a spokeswoman for Olivia Cruises, which specializes in tour […]

(This story was published in 2005). Basketball star Sheryl Swoopes, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time MVP of the WNBA, has come out publicly as a lesbian, making her the highest-profile team sport athlete to come out while playing. Here is what other media outlets and blogs are saying about it: King Kaufman, Salon.com: […]

(This story was published in 2005). This is big. Real big. Sheryl Swoopes is the most decorated, biggest-name athlete in American team sports history to come out of the closet. Period. And that’s not over-stating it. Along with Martina, she is, overnight, one of our two biggest name in sports. To say the Michael Jordan […]

How Does Rene Portland Keep Her Job?

(This story was published in 2005). By: Helen Carroll Dr. Pat Griffin has been leading the quest combating homophobia in sport for women and men in the world of sports. She is director of the “It Takes a Team” project for the Women’s Sports Foundation. I work for equality and opportunity for women and men […]

(This story was published in 2005). By: Pat Griffin On Sept. 14, 2005, Sports Illustrated posted a column by Jay Mohr, “I Don’t Love This Game.” Mohr describes the WNBA as “unwatchable” and a “debacle of a league.” He can’t understand how anyone can be entertained by “7 foot, 225 pound women from Poland who […]

(This story was published in 2004). By: Pat Griffin Dear Rosie, Thanks for coming out publicly as a lesbian professional golfer. As you made clear in your New York Times column, the gap between being out to close friends and family and coming out publicly to fans and potential corporate sponsors has been huge. I […]

(This story was published in 2005). Houston Comets start Sheryl Swoopes became the biggest name in American team sports to come out of the closet on October 26, 2005. LZ Granderson, a friend of Outsports, wrote Sheryl’s words for ESPN the Magazine. Here are some excerpts. “My reason for coming out now isn’t to be […]

(This story was published in 2006). Openly gay tennis great Billie Jean King, 63, has long been an inspiration for gay athletes. Named by Life magazine one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century,” King, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, has been one of the most decorated out athletes since she came out […]

LGBT sports legends Pat Griffin and Helen Carroll lead a discussion on LGBT inclusion at the women's Final Four, with Nevin Caple and Ashland Johnson

(This story was published in 2005). Three-time WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes came out of the closet to much fanfare on October 26. We got a chance to chat with Sheryl two days later. Cyd Zeigler: You must be exhausted. When are you going on your cruise with Olivia? Sheryl Swoopes: Not soon enough. Tomorrow. I […]

(This story was published in 2001). By: Peter FitzSimons Sydney Morning Herald (Reprinted by permission of the author) The connections between sport and the terrorist atrocities in New York are mercifully few, but one of them is hopefully inspiring. In my column on [Sept. 15], I mentioned one Mark Bingham, a 31-year-old rugby-playing American who […]

Adrian Peterson asked about race of first out gay pro. Esera Tuaolo talks. Kobe Bryant and Magic's gay kid.

NOM claims the Bears made a donation to their cause and support their message. The Bears deny it. Group raffling Urlacher, "Sweetness" paraphernalia.

Now a free agent, Ayanbadejo will look for a new NFL home to carry on his LGBT advocacy

The former Atlanta Braves standout tweets that Rutgers coach Mike Rice shouldn't have been blamed for his actions

Speculation is everywhere on the topic

The trans MMA fighter has been cleared of accusations that she falsified her Florida license application

A list of players arrested in 2013.

The three groups will work together to elevate the voices of LGBT athletes