Good morning and welcome to The Huddle for today, September 8, 2020. It’s Tuesday.

Your need to read time today is just a little over 90 seconds.


This Morning’s Sports Headlines:

EXCLUSIVE: Outsports has the names of the more than 80 scholars who signed a letter telling World Rugby to let trans women play. All but a handful of these researchers and academics agreed to step forward and identify themselves as opponents of the proposed transban. Our Karleigh Chardonnay Webb has the story.

Deputy managing editor Alex Reimer talks with a gay former college gymnast who says his sport is an “endangered species”

Our Ken Schultz writes that Kevin Pillar’s progress after an anti-gay slur is in question

Outsports co-founder Jim Buzinski brings us the story of a reelected captain and gay college sailor who strives for inclusion in sport

In other LGBT Sports news…

Billie Jean King, Original 9, mark 50 years of women’s pro tennis tour

Sports Media LGBT+: New LGBT+ network ‘Racing With Pride’ launches in horseracing, also reported by Horse and Hound

Kyodo News: LGBT information center to open in October ahead of Tokyo Olympics

ICYMI (and if you don’t mind the paywall): The Economist reports on The battle over trans athletes in American Schools heating up

Also new this morning…

ESPN simulated the NFL 2020 season and the 49ers didn’t make it back to the Super Bowl

Djokovic Sorry for Outburst, but His Drama Is Often Self-Inflicted

Hall of Famer Lou Brock, who stole bases and Cardinals fans hearts, dies at 81


OutShouts:

Out UCLA coach and friend of Outsports Kirk Walker shared this in both the GO! SPACE and Equality Coaching Alliance groups on Facebook: Congratulations to GM and coach Curt Miller and the Connecticut Sun! They clinched a playoff berth and will appear in the WNBA post-season for the fourth year in a row.

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:

Johnny Weir is counting down to his debut on the new season of Dancing With The Stars

Did you know Monday was ESPN’s birthday? Billie Jean King did!

Speaking of BJK, she’s in the market for an office plant, if you know a guy…

And finally: LGBT Youth sports advocate and educator Micah Porter helped a friend celebrate her birthday: Zion Smith, @_theofficialqueenz on Instagram


Podcast Du Jour

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Today: It’s Star Trek Day, and so The Trans Sporter Room is beaming in a day earlier than usual with more details on today’s big story in the fight for trans inclusion in rugby. Also, trans trailblazing runner June Eastwood talks about her involuntary activism, her transition and advice for closeted athletes and runners of all identities.

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

WNBA:

Los Angeles Sparks vs. New York Liberty at 7 p.m. EDT on CBSSN

Minnesota Lynx vs. Washington Mystics at 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN2

Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces at 10 p.m. EDT on ESPN2

NBA PLAYOFFS:

Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks at 6:30 p.m. EDT on TNT

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets at 9 p.m. EDT on TNT

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS:

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

MLB NATIONALLY-TELEVISED GAMES:

Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies at 4 p.m. EDT on FS1/ESPN+

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Washington Nationals at 6:05 p.m. EDT on MLBN

Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians at 6:10 p.m. EDT on MLBN

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m. EDT on MLBN

Seattle Mariners vs. San Francisco Giants at 9:45 p.m. EDT on MLBN

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!