OusSports.com wrapped up its two-day conference, held at the Center on Halsted, with nine LGBT people in sports talking about different aspects of their experiences coming out and being out in sports in an event entitled "Straight Talk from Out Jocks."
Each speaker shared powerful and encouraging stories about coming out, and all the stories had "command" themes. The speakers shared how depression, isolation, despair, confusion and suicidal ideation ruled their lives before coming out; then, after coming out, the athletes said they experienced acceptance, support, relief and regained control of their lives.
The last speaker, Kansas State University soccer coach Jessica Smith, told the audience something she tells her teams after practice: to go out and "scatter sunshine. Sunshine brightens up our day so when we scatter sunshine we in turn will brighten up someone else's day which may save their life."
The speakers of the evening included;
Matt HatzkeFormer Major League Soccer player: Importance of visibility
Ashley DaiUNC tennis player: Being LGBT in North Carolina in 2016
Spenser ClarkMLB batboy and front-office intern: Being black and gay
Marina MangiaracinaSBNation writer: A trans voice in the pro-sports world
Nathan FortCollege basketball payer: Dealing with religion in your family and your team
Luke McAvoyUniversity of Minnesota football player: Stereotypes and the locker room
Nikki SmartChicago water polo coach: Coping with alcoholism
PJ PainterSouth Dakota rodeo: Coming out to your rural, conservative dad
Jessica SmithKansas State University soccer coach
The speakers' stories are at Outsports.com . "Straight Talk From Out Jocks" was also broadcast live on Outsports' Facebook page.