Doris Day was born on this day in 1922, meaning had she lived today would have been her 99th birthday. Sadly, the actress born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff died on May 13, 2019.

While not an athlete herself, Day was an inspiration to generations of LGBTQ people.

In the film “Calamity Jane,” she sang a powerful song, “Secret Love,” that Pink News and others have called a gay anthem:

Once I had a secret love

That lived within the heart of me

All too soon my secret love

Became impatient to be free.

Doris Day and Rock Hudson golf in a scene from the film ‘Send Me No Flowers’, 1964.

As the Washington Blade recalled following her death, Day became a public supporter of people living with AIDS at a time when it was still taboo. She made a point to hug Rock Hudson on the set of her talk show in 1985, shortly before his diagnosis was made public. “He was very sick,” Day said later, “But I just brushed that off and I came out and put my arms around him and said, ‘Am I glad to see you.’” Day continued to support causes related to AIDS in the years following Hudson’s death, as The Advocate reported.

For this week’s list of LGBTQ sports winners and losers, we salute the straight ally and icon who sang “Que Sera Sera” in one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous films, by labeling the winners “Doris” and the losers Hudson’s pet nickname for Day, “Eunice.”


Doris: Resources for LGBTQ high school student-athletes

Miami Beach, Lummus Park, Beach Pride Festival, Gay Straight Alliance Students with Banner.

If you’re an LGBTQ high school student-athlete, check out these resources designed to offer you support. Coaches, administrators, parents and closeted athletes will find resources here as well. Click here to view the new hub on Outsports in partnership with the Sports Equality Foundation. Thank you to Micah Porter for the inspiration and his collaborative work in launching this important new online portal.


Eunice: Kevin Durant’s nasty anti-gay insults are inexcusable for any supposed LGBTQ ally

Durant, who’s publicly supported LGBTQ issues, pelted actor Michael Rapaport with homophobic insults on Twitter.


Doris: MLB shows NCAA what it should do to hate states targeting trans student-athletes

While the NCAA watches states ban trans girls and women. MLB took action against Georgia for restricting voting rights, pulling the All-Star Game from Atlanta.


Eunice: Will FIFA finally issue serious sanctions against Mexico over reoccurring anti-gay chant?

Once again, FIFA has opened an investigation after homophobic chants were heard during one of the Mexican team’s matches this month.


Doris: LGBTQ guide to the Major League Baseball season

A co-founder of LGBTQ baseball groups on Facebook previews all 30 MLB teams, with a surprise champion.


Eunice: It’s time for an active player to come out. Baseball needs it

On Opening Day, it feels like MLB needs more humanity. And an active player coming out would provide that very quality.


Doris: Sing along with these out MLB folks: ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’

Nona Lee, Erik Braverman and Dale Scott.

The Sports Equality Foundation celebrates Opening Day of Major League Baseball by inviting some of the out LGBTQ people from MLB to sing the national pastime’s official song.


Doris: ‘Defender of trans rights’ SonicFox claims WePlay UFL Mortal Kombat championship

cho Fox’s Sonic Fox laughing while fighting in the ring at Community Effort Orlando (CEO) 2019 and the Fighting Game Community at Ocean Center on June 30, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Fighting under the trans flag, SonicFox’s dominance in Netherrealm Studios fighting games delivered yet another shiny.


Doris: We celebrated the historic achievements of girls and women in LGBTQ sports in March

Every day in March, Outsports marked Women’s History Month by highlighting the contributions of out female-identified LGBTQ athletes.


Doris: National champion marathoner is out and has a great shot at the Summer Olympics

Aoife Cooke.

Aoife Cooke competed for Arkansas Tech. Now she wants to rep Ireland as an out athlete at the Olympics.


Here are this week’s inspiring coming out stories:

Doris: ‘Find The Joy’: Gay college basketball coach’s amazing year after coming out

Matt Lynch.

Matt Lynch came out a year ago while unemployed and during a pandemic. It was one of the best decisions he ever made.


Doris: Pro wrestler Donnie Janela comes out as pansexual

New South Pro Wrestling standout ‘Kung Fu’ Donnie Janela becomes the latest in a growing list of out LGBTQ pro wrestlers.


Doris: For gay Texas Rangers writer, life has turned sweet after he hit rock bottom

Alex Plinck

Alex Plinck thought he had nothing to live for, but he was wrong. Now openly gay, Plinck is thriving and doing the thing he loves most — covering sports.


Doris: Gay rower, now at University of Alabama, watched ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and came out to parents next day

Jack Lombardo

Jack Lombardo took one of his lowest moments as an athlete and used it as a catalyst to come out. He has never regretted it.


This week we celebrated Transgender Day of Visibility with these stories:

Doris: Who signed GLAAD’s letter in support of trans girls and women?

More than 465 superstars and everyday feminists added their names to the letter objecting to the targeting of trans women and girls.


Doris: Trailblazer Stephen Alexander is living his best life ever since his ‘Transition Game’

Kate Sahler, left and Stephen Alexander on their wedding day.

Our “Out In The World” series catches up with the focus of our most-read stories. Stephen Alexander recalls his past and shares his dream for what lies ahead.


Doris: Trans nonbinary college basketball player scores on the court and as a role model

Navi Huskey.

As a student-athlete, Ph.D. candidate, and activist, Navi Huskey shines in multiple arenas.


Doris: We are visibly human: An essay for TDoV

Terry Miller, Andraya Yearwood and Karleigh Webb.

On the Trans Day of Visibility, let’s resolve to stop spreading the “tall tales” of transphobia.


Doris: Watch a conversation on inclusion in sports with trans, lesbian and straight athletes

Clockwise from upper left to center: Chris Mosier, CeCé Telfer, Brooke Rundle, Lucy Hochschartner and Mack Beggs.

The Sports Equality Foundation hosted a discussion of inclusion on TIkTok with trans athletes Mack Beggs, CeCé Telfer and Chris Mosier as well as lesbian former pro volleyball player Brooke Rundle and elite biathlete and straight ally Lucy Hochschartner.


Eunice: South Dakota’s governor bans trans student-athletes with executive orders after defeat of bill

The GOP-controlled State House of Representatives failed to overturn Gov. Kristi Noem’s transgender sports veto. So she got out her pen and wrote an E.O. for what she wanted.


Doris: We’re celebrating trans sports heroes on this TDoV

Outsports, in partnership with NCLR, introduced a new series of awards to pay tribute to transgender athletes, coaches and others working to give every trans competitor a chance to fulfill their dream.


Here are the final winners of our inaugural Triumph Awards:

MMA fighter Fallon Fox is still the bravest athlete ever, and our Pioneer Triumph Award winner

The Outsports Triumph Awards, in partnership with NCLR, conclude by honoring trailblazer Fallon Fox.


Basketball coach Layne Ingram is our Coaching Triumph Award winner

The Triumph Awards, in partnership with NCLR, honor college basketball coach Layne Ingram, whose passion for basketball, trans rights and social justice make him a role model.

Volleyball trailblazer Tiffany Abreu is our pro athlete Triumph Award winner

The Triumph Awards, in partnership with NCLR, honor pro volleyball pioneer Tifanny Abreu. The first transgender player in Brazil’s Superliga is a winner on the floor and a force for the community off of it.


Raquel Willis and Jennifer L. Levi inspire us as Crusaders: They’re co-winners of this Triumph Award

The Crusaders Triumph Award, in partnership with NCLR, honors those working on behalf of trans people in sports for their achievements, their ability to inspire and contributing to the world of LGBTQ visibility and equality.


These boisterous, increasingly visible trans pro wrestling Ringleaders deserve their flowers

The Ringleaders Triumph award, in partnership with NCLR, honor trans wrestlers, promoters and those working on behalf of trans people for their achievements, inspiration and contributions to the LGBTQ sports world.


That’s all for this week! I’ll bring you another list of winners and losers next Saturday. 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!

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