Time once again for Outsports to stop the clock for an instant reply of the week that was. It’s my way of memorializing the glorious victories, the ignominious defeats, and the players and personalities who made them, lived them or just couldn’t avoid them. Given the undetermined fate of some of this week’s big names, I’ve added a new category: “hopefuls.”
I realize my roster may differ from yours, and I welcome your comments, contributions and critiques. I read them all! Details on how to reach me are below, after our look at the week’s winners and losers.
Winner: Gay UCLA assistant coach Kirk Walker named head coach of California Softball Commotion
The out assistant coach of the reigning NCAA champion UCLA Bruins will stay on at the university as he takes the reins of the newest National Pro Fastpitch club.
Losers: New trans athlete inclusion poll tries to hide its own bias
A new poll appears to reveal a majority of the public does not approve of trans athlete inclusion, but a look at its questions reveals repeated use of transphobic code words.
Hopeful: It’s time for Jerry Smith to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jerry Smith held an NFL scoring record for 27 years. He has been largely ignored by the Hall Of Fame. 2020 is the year to correct that.
Winner: Caster Semenya as we’ve never seen or heard her before
Dominant and maligned, the South African Olympic champion tells her personal story in a new video on YouTube.
Hopeful: Transgender racer looks to break barriers at 24 Hours of Le Mans
After joining the Rainbow Laces campaign, Charlie Martin attempts to become the first trans athlete to compete at the famous endurance race.
Winner: Gay college runner realized he could make a difference for LGBTQ athletes without being perfect
Nicholas Turco is living authentically as a gay athlete after realizing he no longer had to live up to his idea of being perfect.
Hopeful: Hell freezes over: Chick-fil-A ends anti-LGBTQ donations
After years of criticism, the Chick-fil-A Foundation’s new charitable strategy finally ends donations to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and The Salvation Army.
Winner: Gay soccer player Sam Johnson’s college career ends, defined by legacy of advocacy
Now, at the end of his college career, Sam Johnson recognizes that his relationship with the sport has changed, especially after a homophobic slur was hurled at him during a game
Hopeful: Depression a constant presence for many closeted LGBTQ athletes
A gay swimmer on her struggles with depression and how it relates to being LGBTQ in sports.
Winner: Gay Missouri college volleyball coach named conference coach of the year
Coleman Lee and his husband Garrett Case have had a successful first season coaching together in Missouri.
Hopeful: Olympic hopeful Nikki Hiltz on running in Qatar, competing with her girlfriend
Nikki Hiltz talks to ‘Five Rings To Rule Them All’ about competing in a country that outlaws homosexuality.
Winners: Hard knock love: Kiera Hogan and Diamante square off for first time
The romantic partners delivered a hard-hitting affair during Saturday’s Ladies Night Out 8 event.
Hopefuls: For gay African athletes, even rumors can end their careers and cause them great pain
Athletes reported to be gay in Cameroon illustrate the perils for LGBTQ athletes in Africa.
Hopeful: Gay ex-radio host fires lawyer, speaks out amid new drama
Seth Dunlap denies tweeting an anti-gay slur directed at himself from his radio station’s account: “It is something I did not do, and I am over it.”
That’s all for this week! I’ll bring you a fresh list of winners and losers next Saturday. Got a name I missed, or want to challenge my choices? Comment here or on Facebook or Instagram, tweet at us, message me via any social media, or just plain email me at [email protected] Thanks!
