Our hopes that sports will return soon, amid the danger of continuing coronavirus contagion, are taking a backseat this weekend to nationwide outrage over the death in police custody of George Floyd. The asphyxiation of the unarmed black man by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes was captured on cellphone video, and even with that now-former officer’s arrest, protests in dozens of cities have not ceased.

My weekly look at the week that was begins with our report on how out athletes added their voices to those demonstrating and calling for justice.

This week’s list follows a theme, the sports moments that made us cry, as reported by Outsports, SB Nation and our sister sites. There is no denying there are many reasons this week to shed a tear.


LGBT athletes express outrage over George Floyd’s death: ‘Which one of us is next?’

Protesters raise their hands up during a demonstration in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 29, 2020.

Many sports stars, including LGBT athletes, are demanding justice over the death of a black man in Minnesota who was killed while in police custody.


Recent pro wrestling tragedies beg us to learn lessons as a community

Hana Kimura. Shad Gaspard. Larry Csonka. Owen Hart. Rest In Power.


Glenn Burke died 25 years ago this week. Billy Bean tells him how much baseball has changed

In an emotional letter, Bean shares with Burke how his two former teams are pushing for more LGBTQ acceptance.


The in-game gay marriage proposal that still makes me cry

Jake Conrad pops the question to his boyfriend Michael Holtzman at a Chicago Bulls game in 2016.

Jake Conrad’s proposal to Michael Holtzman at a 2016 Bulls game still gets our Ken Schultz. Every. Single. Time.


Armando Benitez and other ways the Mets made me cry

Outsports’ managing editor kicked-off our week-long reflection of the sports moments that brought us to tears. The lifelong Mets fan had a lot to choose from.


When Megan Rapinoe hit the perfect cross to Abby Wambach, it brought her sister and America to tears

Watch the play that Rachael Rapinoe remembers as one of the most emotional sports moments she’s witnessed.


Rachael Rapinoe has moved from scoring on the pitch to helping athletes as an entrepreneur

Rapinoe talks about her time representing the USA, her non-coming-out moment, and the company she’s building.


Power couple Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird will host remote ESPYS this year

Rapinoe and Bird will host the repurposed awards show alongside Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and focus on heroism.


Watch WNBA Player Sue Bird Give A Tour Of Her Fridge

Sue Bird walks Women’s Health Magazine through the produce, meat, snacks, and drinks she stocks up on in the latest episode of Women’s Health’s “Fridge Tours.”


Trump Administration puts its thumb on scale in trans student athlete dispute

The U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights has reportedly ruled that a Connecticut policy allowing transgender student athletes to compete in girls sports violates the civil rights of “female” athletes.


Cisgender athletes want to help opponents of transgender inclusion defend Idaho ban

The Alliance Defending Freedom has two female athletes stepping forward to support the soon-to-be enacted law and oppose the ACLU lawsuit that seeks to stop it.


Idaho trans teen Lindsay Hecox: ‘I just want to run’

Lindsay Hecox, the 19-year-old who’s challenging Idaho’s trans student-athlete ban speaks out in an exclusive interview with “The Trans Sporter Room” podcast.


Chicago Red Stars don’t let the pandemic stop their Virtual Pride Party

Even without games, the Red Stars celebrated their LGBTQ fanbase with streaming music performances, drag bingo, and a dance party.


Olympic medal-winning skater Guillaume Cizeron comes out as gay

“I don’t know what got into me, I said to myself, ‘What do I have to lose?’” Guillaume Cizeron says of his decision to publicly come out as gay.


This gay college coach has found acceptance and success in conservative America

Giovana Melo and Trisha Lacey with their beautiful daughter, Eva.

When Giovana Melo moved from Brazil to Nebraska to play volleyball, she embarked on a journey of sports and love.


Justice Department drops insider trading investigation of WNBA co-owner

Atlanta Dream co-owner Sen. Kelly Loeffler confirmed the DOJ has closed an insider trading investigation that focused on stocks sold following a confidential coronavirus briefing.


Grindr is not a cure for coronavirus anxiety

LGBT mental health researcher Jack Turban says the coronavirus lockdowns have been especially hard on young LGBT people, and could be causing them to use dating apps in harmful ways.


Rugby legend Phaidra Knight wants to empower female athletes with new clothing line

Knight, a proudly out lesbian, intends to shift attitudes and culture with The PSK Collective.


Check out the rainbow of Pride gear for 2020

Converse, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, New Balance and more want your business this Pride month. See which brands are giving back to the community.


Adam Rippon steals the show on NPR

The Olympic medalist is used to dazzling figure skating judges. But did you hear how he dazzled the panel on ‘Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!’?


Memorial Day is for our heroes, too

Our nation owes a debt to the LGBTQ troops who gave their all, even when they had to serve in silence.


Outsports Pride 2020 is going virtual with entertainment and conversation!

Outsports Pride will be virtual this year, with a variety hour, webinars and community chats with sports heroes. Join us!

Outsports Pride 2019 marchers in West Hollywood, Calif. for L.A. Pride. We won’t be able to meet like this again this year, but we are getting together on Zoom! Instagram

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!

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