Good morning and welcome to The Huddle for today, September 10, 2020. It’s Thursday.

Your need to read time today is 90-seconds, as usual.

This Morning’s Sports Headlines:

The Trump administration is sending mixed messages to schools on LGBT issues: Betsy DeVos’s Department of Education launched an investigation of homophobia in school sports, but on the same day, promised to punish trans-inclusive sports programs. Oddly, Connecticut’s governor is silent on new threats, even after getting called out by the ACLU

Related: Our Karleigh Webb goes deeper on DeVos in the New Haven Independent

Gay WNBA coach Curt Miller opens up to our deputy managing editor Alex Reimer about bubble life: ‘It feels like Groundhog Day’

Our Cyd Zeigler invites you to join a Conversation: The current state of LGBTQ acceptance and homophobia in men’s hockey

At 11:30 a.m. EDT, This LAFC fan used a gay slur, reports Cyd. Now that fan’s paying a price and building bridges

And at 1 p.m. EDT, Outsports co-founder Jim Buzinski notes the fact that in 101 NFL seasons, there has never been an openly gay player

Speaking of the NFL…

Are you ready for some football? SB Nation’s James Dator says these are the 6 must-watch games of the NFL season that kicks off tonight

Also new this morning…

Just one short of the record! Braves score 29 runs against Marlins, as reported by ESPN

Tokyo officials vow Olympics will go on ‘at any cost,’ even if coronavirus remains in 2021, according to NBC News

Are the Straights okay? Rockets’ Danuel House suspended for sneaking a woman into the Bubble; fans think it is Taylor Rooks, reports The Sports Rush

OutShouts:

Our friend Kirk Walker pays tribute to Equality Coaching Alliance founding member Helen Carroll of San Francisco, an LGBT Sports advocate icon! Thank you, Helen!

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:

Jason Collins and Layshia Clarendon have been loving the latest basketball action.

Ali Krieger and her wife Ashlyn Harris joined Men In Blazers for a Krashlyn IG Live Happy Hour, which looks to me like an online ad for that adult beverage billed as the King of Beers.

Are you following us on Instagram? Inspiring stories like Josh Sorbe’s are what you’ll get:

Podcast Du Jour

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment, and this week we have TWO new LGBT In The Ring episodes for you. Yesterday, our Brian Bell rang in his 50th episode by recapping AEW’s All Out event with Fanbyte’s Colette Arrand. The event featured superb clashes between Jon Moxley & MJF, Hikaru Shida & Thunder Rosa and FTR & Kenny Omega/Adam Page. Click here to listen!

And today, he welcomes Em Fear (PWTorch’s Grit & Glitter podcast) back to the show to chat all about MV Young’s Poly Cult Party 2! Here’s the link:

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

Today’s Sports Calendar

WNBA:

New York Liberty vs. Indiana Fever at 7 p.m. EDT on CBSSN

Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx at 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN2

Washington Mystics vs. Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. EDT on CBSSN

NBA PLAYOFF GAME:

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. EDT on TNT

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF GAME:

Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars at 8 p.m. EDT on NBCSN

MLB NATIONALLY-TELEVISED GAME:

Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees at 7:05 p.m. EDT on ESPN+

TENNIS:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule for the U.S. Open and yesterday’s results.

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!

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