Hello and welcome to On Deck Circle for today, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. One month until my birthday!

Your need to read time today is 90-seconds.

Today’s LGBTQ Sports History Highlight:

On this day in 1964, the boxer the world would soon know as Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston for the title of heavyweight champion of the world. After his passing in 2016, writers Thomas Hauser and Dave Zirin reminisced about Ali and what connection might be drawn between the legend and our LGBTQ community. They’re worthy of your time, as is this archival footage of the fight:


Today’s Outsports Headlines:

Gay ex-college football player wants to pay it forward with LGBTQ athletes

TJ Callan runs a drill during a University of Miami football practice held at the Greentree Practice Field in Coral Gables, Fla. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016.

Mikah Meyer runs across Mississippi for LGBTQ rights

Mikah Meyer

Riot Games announces Valorant Champions Tour Game Changers esports gender diversity initiative


Other LGBTQ Sports stories making news…

Valentina Shevchenko-Jessica Andrade flyweight title fight set for UFC 261, Dana White says


Today’s SB Nation’s top story…

SheBelieves: USA dispatches tired Argentina 6-0

USA SheBelievesCup 2021 Champions during a game between Argentina and USWNT at Exploria Stadium on February 24, 2021 in Orlando, Fla.

Top LGBTQ News…

The Equality Act with protections for LGBTQ Americans is up for a vote in the House today

More Adult Americans Are Identifying as LGBTQ, Gallup Poll Finds:

  • 5.6% of adults described themselves as LGBTQ in 2020, up from 4.5% in 2017.
  • More than half of LGBTQ adults identified as bisexual.
  • One in six adults in Generation Z, people born between 1997 and 2002, identify as LGBTQ.

Marjorie Taylor Greene blasted for attacking colleague’s transgender daughter: ‘Sickening, pathetic, unimaginably cruel’


Today’s OutShout:

The Sports Equality Foundation asked me to produce a series of videos for TikTok that we’re calling Trans 101. Here’s the first one, with thanks to writer Hannah Simpson for the concept she introduced in a Refinery29 story in 2015. Watch here:

@sportsequalityfdn

Trans 101- Part 1 #transgender #lgbtq #closeted #sportsequality

♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

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.


Social Media Spotlight:

Our friend LGBTQ education leader and advocate Micah Porter is showing the world why sharing your pronouns matter with each and every email he sends. Check out his Instagram post:

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!


Today’s Outsports Podcast:

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Today, Brian Bell’s partner, KC, returns to the Outsports podcast LGBT In The Ring as the two recap and discuss the recent 60-minute Iron match between Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Champion Trish Adora and Tony Deppen. 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:

MLB Spring Training:

Full-squad workouts are underway. Click here for MLB’s guide to your favorite teams’ schedules.


NHL:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s pro hockey action today.


NBA:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s pro basketball action today.


NCAAM:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s college basketball action today.


NCAAW:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of women’s college basketball 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]

A new On Deck Circle posts every weekday morning on Outsports.com