The past few years have not been kind to people within the LGBT community in the United States, specifically transgender athletes. Right-leaning politicians and the ongoing culture war have unfortunately made the existence of trans athletes a target. This has only been made worse by the Trump administration, which has made moves in passing laws that restrict or even ban trans athletes from participating in female sports teams.
This open hostility from seemingly all sides has undoubtedly increased the stress on the trans community and, unfortunately, has also had some domino effect on other members of the LGBT community. So it comes as no surprise when people within the community have begun organizing groups to support these affected athletes and the broader LGBT community in the sports industry.
Regardless, an organization can only do so much, and that is why industry support can mean so much. Sports organizations that go public and do not back down from their support toward the LGBT community will almost automatically gain the favor of younger and progressive demographics, who have become bolder in their support for the LGBT community.
The Women’s sports industry in particular has continued to have a major hand in supporting LGBT athletes, due to the lengthy history of lesbian athletes having a foundational role in that industry within the United States.
What people tend to forget is that there are more LGBT athletes within the sports industry than many would realize. The bigotry from leadership and other players has often been a major reason for these athletes to stay in the closet in fear for their jobs and the backlash they might get from certain political groups and fans.
Sports organizations supporting these communities will only make athletes and fans safer.
