While major pro sports leagues are making plans to return soon, even though there is still a danger of coronavirus contagion, our focus remains on the nationwide outrage over the killing of George Floyd. In the past week, three more former Minneapolis police officers were criminally charged, and murder charges against the ex-cop who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes were upgraded. And protest marches have only grown in size in cities from coast to coast.
My weekly list begins with the perspective of the week that was from Black LGBTQ athletes.
Mystics guard Natasha Cloud: ‘Your silence is a knee on my neck.’
Get off the sidelines and into the game
Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.
In a powerful essay for The Players’ Tribune, WNBA star Natasha Cloud called out athletes who remain neutral in the face of racism.
‘Tired of reading about racism? I’m tired of black and brown bodies being killed by it.’
Racism in perspective, from the nation’s most prominent openly gay sports journalist: LZ Granderson of the Los Angeles Times.
Michael Sam’s right: Racism alive in gay community
Michael Sam’s 2016 claims of racism in the gay community hit home again this week, as tacit racism is rampant in our not-so-little gay corner of the world.
I’m black. I’m gay. White America needs to change, not me.
Pro tennis player Jeremy Sonkin in an essay for Outsports: ‘Black people deserve equality. We are here, some of us are queer, we are loud, and we say enough is enough.’
Megan Rapinoe signs letter to defund police and invest in Black communities
The letter advocates decreasing police budgets and increasing spending on health care and social services.
When confronted with criticism, Drew Brees shamefully keeps pleading ignorance
Brees’ apology for his remarks about NFL protests takes little accountability, just like his explanation for working with a prominent anti-LGBTQ lobbying group.
Why I marched in Boston’s George Floyd protest
As a white man, I can’t fathom where I would be without my privilege. It’s long past time for me to do more than just talk about it.
Protests are a good start but Black pro wrestling figures stress need for continued action
Minneapolis-based out wrestlers Russell Rogue and Devon Monroe & F1ght Club Pro Wrestling co-promoter Chris Harris discuss how inaction must be a thing of the past following George Floyd’s death.
Two LGBTQ athletes in Minneapolis share their life stories being Black in the Midwest, June 9
Kaitlyn Long and Justin Rabon live in Minneapolis where they have watched life turned upside down.
These two boyfriends in Minneapolis are raising money and buying supplies for protesters and the needy
A week ago, Justin Rabon and Brad Neumann were frozen with fear. Now they’re doing what they can to help their community.
Oregon State dismisses TE from team after homophobic, racist statements
Rocco Carley can be heard making homophobic, racist and Islamophobic remarks on a video that surfaced online late Wednesday night.
What’s it like being an openly gay reporter covering the Trump White House?
The Washington Blade’s Chris Johnson dishes on the usefulness of White House press briefings, and how he gears his political coverage for LGBT audiences.
MMA fighter calls LGBTQ people “worse than dogs,” lesbian soccer player threatened
Kuat Khamitov trampled on and burned a Pride flag on Instagram while representing Kazakhstan.
30 Moments of Pride: Diana Taurasi is fastest WNBA player in history to reach 6,000 points
Every day this month, we’ll be revisiting a moment of Pride. Today: Mercury star Diana Taurasi scores her 6,000th point in 2013.
30 Moments of Pride: Greg Louganis comes back from injury to win Olympic gold
After hitting his head on the springboard during prelims, the HIV-positive diver steps up his game to emerge a champion.
30 Moments of Pride: Orlando Cruz wins WBO NABO Super Featherweight title
Three years after his historic coming out, Orlando Cruz made history again.
30 Moments of Pride: Cecé Telfer wins NCAA Title
Every day this month, we’ll be revisiting a moment of Pride. Today: CeCé Telfer makes trans history in NCAA track and field with a national championship win.
30 Moments of Pride: Katie Sowers is first gay coach in Super Bowl
Katie Sowers made history in two ways when Super Bowl LIV kicked off in February.
30 Moments of Pride: Openly gay NBA executive Rick Welts wins third championship with Warriors
One week after being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Welts saw the Warriors win their third championship.
School hides behind pandemic to cancel LGBTQ author’s appearance
Phil Bildner planned to discuss his new novel, ‘A High Five for Glenn Burke,’ until a school parents’ association caved to prejudice.
Goodbye, Columbus: Gay Softball World Series postponed until 2021 on account of coronavirus
The North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance has postponed its championship games, planned for August in Columbus, Ohio, because of the pandemic.
ATP apologizes after asking tennis players if they are ‘sissies’
The leading tennis organization posts a tone-deaf video and then has to apologize.
Out lacrosse player Erin Walters-Williams keeps pushing for a ‘culture of inclusion’
The former Welsh National Team member shares her own experience with positive LGBTQ sports role models with Sky Sports, and uses some choice words from Megan Rapinoe to move sport in the right direction.
Check out the rainbow of Pride gear for 2020
Nike, Converse, Reebok, Adidas, New Balance and more want your business this Pride month. See which brands are giving back to the community.
PUMA unveils sweet 2020 Pride gear, and pledges to support LGBT charities
PUMA is teaming up with English gender fluid actress and LGBT activist Cara Delevingne to promote its “From PUMA With Love” Pride pack.
Outsports Pride 2020 is going virtual with entertainment and conversation!
Outsports Pride is virtual this year, with a variety hour, webinars and community chats with sports heroes.
My favorite video games are all ‘Old School’
Give me Pong, Space Invaders, Asteroids, PacMan and Ms. Pac-Man any day over modern video games!
That’s all for this week! I’ll bring you a fresh list of winners and losers next Saturday, at the end of our “sporting events that made you cry” theme week. 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!
