Be part of Youth Out in Sports!
Thank you for your interest in Youth Out in Sports! To inquire about the Youth Out in Sports Student Steering Committee and internships available during the Summer and Fall of 2021, please contact us at info@QYTF.org
More information coming soon.
Thank you!
FEARLESS: Portraits of LGBT Student Athletes
The Queer Youth Task Force is proud to work with Jeff Sheng, author of FEARLESS: Portraits of LGBT Student Athletes, featuring an afterword written by retired NBA basketball player Jason Collins. (see photos attached). Learn more about the Fearless Project.
In Fall 2020, Jeff Sheng facilitated a workshop at the Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast titled, “FEARLESS: Portraits of LGBT Student Athletes, a book and artist talk”. The workshop description included:
FEARLESS: Portraits of LGBT Student Athletes, a book and artist talk
Presenter: Jeff Sheng (He/Him)
Adult Led
Level: Beginning
For: Both High School & Middle School Student
Description: FEARLESS: Portraits of LGBT Student Athletes, is a photography book and personal memoir by American artist Jeff Sheng. Recalling his experience as a closeted high school student athlete in the 1990s, Sheng uses his own story as a foundation for a wider exploration of the current LGBT rights movement. Woven throughout the 316-page book are photographic portraits of 202 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender high school and college athletes from the United States and Canada taken by the author over a 13-year span between 2003 and 2015. The book also includes intimate writings from some of the featured athletes and concludes with an afterword essay by retired professional NBA basketball player Jason Collins. This workshop will be a book and artist talk with a chance for participants to ask questions about the making of the project.
In Spring 2021, the Safe Schools Project, a program of the Queer Youth Task Force, is donating Jeff Sheng’s Fearless book to schools across Santa Cruz County. To secure books for your schools library or GSA/QSA/SAGA/Rainbow Alliance, please contact us at info@QYTF.org
Youth Out in Sports News
“Gay Texas high school athlete comes out to team and starts a Gay Straight Alliance” – Out Sports
“Later on, in my junior year, I began to push for queer advocacy beyond just athletics. I went on to write a speech called “The Game of Equality.” It is a speech about homophobia in modern sports. I then started my school’s Gay Straight Alliance, where I now serve as the president.”
ACLU: Missouri Dad Testifies Against Trans Youth Athlete Ban
“As a parent the one thing we cannot do…is silence our child’s spirit.” Brandon Boulware, father of a transgender daughter, urged Missouri lawmakers to stop discriminating against trans youth while testifying in a hearing about trans youth athlete ban HJR 53. Parents, coaches, doctors, and student athletes are all coming together to say that trans people belong everywhere. Trans girls are girls, and they shouldn’t be barred from participating in sports. Watch here
“Youth activists lead the fight against anti-trans bills” – NBC News
Young people say they’re stepping up because they have to, though it can be emotionally challenging for them to stay engaged. “In my case, it feels like a necessity,” Bundy said. “I feel like I can’t afford to not pay attention, because it’s my life and the life of my friends on the line, and that feels like much too high of a cost not to be paying attention to, even though it definitely can be very painful.”
“Sacramento Kings, NBC Sports California partnering for first-ever all women, non-binary coverage team” – ABC 10
“The coverage for the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers will span across all platforms, from the live-game telecast, pregame and postgame shows, and social content, according to team officials.”
“31 LGBTQ Women Who Changed Sports, Culture, Politics, History” – Advocate
“It was a simple team photo, but it meant the world to gay high school football player” – Out Sports
15-year-old sophomore Jake Streder seriously thought of quitting his Illinois football team after being outed, but he decided to embrace who he was and it made all the difference.
“Once in the closet, gay hockey player voted high school’s homecoming king” – Out Sports
Anthony Arnoni felt alone in the closet in Illinois until a YouTube video helped change his life and lead to experiences he never would have imagined.
My Coming Out Story and Advice – Dylan Geick
“This is definitely my most requested video ever, and I figured it’s about time I fulfilled! Hopefully my story and some advice helps someone somewhere.” Watch here
Sports Podcasts
- Outsports.com Podcast Network – Outsports is the leader in LGBT Sports, they have a podcast network that features 6 shows. 5 Rings (Olympics), The GameDay Tea (general sports hosted by African American), Trans Porter Room (Trans sports and science fiction), LGBT in the Ring (Professional Wrestling), 3 Strikes (Baseball) and The Sports Kiki (Sports and news)
- The Outfield Podcast – Bisexual host Matt L talks with out athletes
- BBC LGBT Sports Podcast – An English perspective on being out in sports.
- Football (Soccer) vs Homophobia – Talks about LGBT issues and soccer from England. Does a lot with youth topics.