Good morning and welcome to The Huddle for today, October 1, 2020. It’s Thursday, and the start of LGBTQ History Month! We’re also counting down to National Coming Out Day.

Allow me, please, one brief indulgence, as I wish my youngest son, Liam, a very happy birthday today. He’s turning 14, and he fills me with pride, joy and love everyday.

Your need to read time today is under 90-seconds.

This Morning’s Outsports Headlines:

College golfer is a proud gay man and a proud Christian

October is LGBTQ History Month, and it’s full of sports history

Coming to outsports.com at 9 a.m. EDT: San Diego pro soccer team forfeits game after gay player allegedly called a slur

In other LGBT Sports news…

Australian federations set guidelines on transgender athletes

Also new this morning…

University of Denver suspends 38 swimming and diving student athletes for violating COVID-19 restrictions after attending large, off-campus party

NFL: Steelers-Titans postponed after positive COVID-19 tests in Tennessee

NBA: Miami Heat falls hard as LA Lakers dominate Game 1 of NBA Finals

MLB: Yankees, Astros, Rays advance to ALDS; Dodgers start postseason on right foot

NHL: Lightning bring the Stanley Cup back to Tampa Bay

OutShouts:

Five members of the GoSPACE Facebook group — Etienne Aduya, Mika Costello, Nathan Fort, Kalyany Steele, Ryan Socolow — will discuss how they came out to their teammates with Anthony Nicodemo moderating the conversation for Outsports on Thursday Oct 8th.

If you’re an LGBTQ person in sports looking to connect with others in the community, head over to GO! SPACE to meet and interact with other LGBTQ athletes, or to Equality Coaching Alliance to find other coaches, administrators and other non-athletes in sports.

Highlights from Social Media:

Congratulations to trailblazing soccer referee Bibiana Steinhaus on her retirement! The Chief Inspector of police was the first female ref in Germany’s men’s Bundesliga league, and one of the most decorated referees in women’s soccer. She said in a statement she’d soon explain her sudden decision to retire. As far as is known, Steinhaus is straight and in a long-term relationship with English referee Howard Webb, but as out soccer player Hedvig Lindahl tweeted, she is “a fantastic role model for women around the world.”

Breana Burke shared this cheerful selfie on Instagram, with the caption: “It’s Sports Action Brea™️! Now with more sports action!”

If you want your social media post to be included here, or to share one showcasing LGBTQ sports, email us the link at [email protected] or tag @Outsports on Instagram or Twitter!

Podcast Du Jour

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Our Brian Bell is back with a new episode of LGBT In The Ring. Bi+ Awareness Month wraps up as Solo Darling joins the show to discuss coming out as pansexual earlier this year, bi+ fetishization & the power in living your truth! Download and listen here:

This and all Outsports podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and on every platform where you find Outsports!

Today’s Sports Calendar

NFL:

Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets at 8:20 p.m. EDT on NFL Network

WNBA FINALS: Game 1 tomorrow night

NBA FINALS: Game 2 tomorrow night

MLB PLAYOFFS:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of baseball action today

SOCCER:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of soccer action today

Share your thoughts in the comments below or email us at [email protected]

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. The next edition of The Huddle will appear tomorrow morning on Outsports.com Stay safe!