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ProudToRun poised to return in 2024, fighting through lack of resources
Chicago's 42-year-old LGBTQ+ running event, ProudToRun, is so far set to return June 2024 following the cancellation of last year's race. The city's original Pride Week running event took a hiatus last year due to a ...
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Tatumn Milazzo wins NWSL honor for second consecutive week
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 23, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars defender and Orland Park, Illinois, native Tatumn Milazzo earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, the leag ...
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Red Stars beat Seattle Reign 2-1
For the second time this season, the Chicago Red Stars took down the Seattle Reign FC, this time 2-1 on the road on April 21. Thanks to goals from Ally Schlegel and Mallory Swanson, the Red Stars have swept the Reign ...
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Chicago Red Stars place forward Ava Cook on season-ending injury list
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 20, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the following health update on forward Ava Cook: Cook sustained a knee injury during Red Stars training this week. After further medical evaluation, it was determined ...
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HRC continues call for Title IX rules that protect transgender student-athletes
--From a press release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced it has finalized a Title IX rule that clarifies the scope of nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity throughout educational activities ...
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New Title IX rules protects LGBTQ+ students...to a point
New Title IX guidelines finalized April 19 will protect the rights of LGBTQ+ students by federal law and further safeguards of victims of campus sexual assault, according to ABC News. But those protections don't extend to ...
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Tatumn Milazzo wins National Women's Soccer League Impact Save of the Week
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 16, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars defender Tatumn Milazzo earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today. In the 32nd minute of Chicago's April 13 ...
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Fed appeals panel ruling helps trans athlete
A three-judge federal appeals court panel ruled Tuesday (April 16) that West Virginia's law barring transgender female students from participating on female student sports teams violates federal law. In a 2 to 1 decision, the panel ...
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NAIA votes to ban trans women from athletics, affecting Chicago conference
The National Association of Intercollegiate College on April 8 released a new policy on transgender athletes, banning trans women from competing under its jurisdiction. The new policy, which is set to go into effect Aug. 1, ...
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Chicago Sky select Cardoso, Reese in WNBA Draft
On April 15, the Chicago Sky chose two key players from the past two women's national college basketball championship teams—South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso and LSU's Angel Reese—in the first round of the WNBA Draft. The Sky ...
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Brittney Griner, wife expecting first baby
Brittney Griner is expecting her first child with wife Cherelle Griner. According to NBC News, the couple announced on Instagram that they are expecting their baby in July. "Can't believe we're less than three months away ...
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Red Stars' undefeated season ends against Angel City FC
The Chicago Red Stars' undefeated streak came to an end on April 13 after a 1-0 loss to Angel City FC at SeatGeek Stadium. An unlucky touch by Chicago defender Maximiliane Rall led to an own-goal ...
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WORLD Ugandan law, Japan, Cass report, Tegan and Sara, Varadkar done
Ugandan LGBTQ+-rights activists asked the international community to mount more pressure on Uganda's government to repeal an anti-gay law that the country's Constitutional Court refused to nullify, PBS reported. Activist ...
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U.S. women's soccer team caught in anti-LGBTQ+ controversy
On April 9, the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) narrowly defeated Canada to win the SheBelieves Cup trophy. However, there were boos on the field for the USWNT—due primarily to an LGBTQ+-related controversy involving one player: ...
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Coach/activist Tara VanDerveer retires from Stanford after 38 seasons
Stanford University women's basketball coach and gender-rights advocate Tara VanDerveer has retired after 38 seasons, media outlets reported. In 45 years as a head coach at Idaho (1978-80), Ohio State ...
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Chicago Red Stars announce first-ever match at Wrigley Field on June 8
--From a press release
CHICAGO (April 9, 2024) — The undefeated Chicago Red Stars announced today that they will host Bay FC at historic Wrigley Field Saturday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. CT, making it the first National Women's Soccer ...
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Black LGBTQIA leaders applaud U of South Carolina head coach Staley for standing up for trans athlete inclusion
--From a press release
WASHINGTON — On Sunday, April 7, the University of South Carolina's women's basketball team won the NCAA National Championship. Ahead of the championship game, South Carolina's head coach Dawn Staley made comments in support of transgend ...
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NAIA bans trans athletes from women's sports
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on April 8 that athletes will only be allowed to compete in women's sports if they were assigned female at birth, CBS Sports reported. The NAIA's Council of ...
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HRC president responds to NAIA vote to ban transgender women from playing sports
--From a press release
WASHINGTON —Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, responded to the National Association of ...
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Lambda Legal: NAIA proposed transgender sports ban disappointing, harmful reversal
Lambda Legal: NAIA Proposed Transgender Sports Ban a Disappointing and Harmful Reversal "The NAIA announcement sends a dangerous message, is inconsistent with the law and science, and undercuts the organization's ...
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Blackhawks celebrate Pride Night
On March 26, the Chicago Blackhawks held its annual Pride Night at the United Center. The home team defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1 as Jason Dickinson scored twice and Petr Mrazek made 38 saves for the ...
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Red Stars tie Orlando, remain unbeaten
The Chicago Red Stars remained unbeaten in their first three regular-season matches after a 1-1 draw with the Orlando Pride on March 29. It's the first time since 2019 that the club has gone unbeaten in ...
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Four Chicago Red Stars receive international call-ups
CHICAGO (March 28, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars Nádia Gomes, Natalia Kuikka, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson have been tabbed to represent their countries during the April international window. Forwards Gomes and Swanson are set to ...
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2024 'Nike Basketball Camps with the Chicago Sky' announced
The Chicago Sky officially announced, in a debut collaboration with Nike Sports Camps, 2024 summer basketball camps for Chicagoland youth. Two camps for boys and girls ages 7-15 will take place June 17-21 and July 8-12 ...
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Be here, be queer, play polo: Gay Polo League creates safe athletic space for LGBTQ community
LGBTQ+ athletic clubs aren't too hard to come by, offering a variety of sports such as softball, soccer and more in cities across the country. But LGBTQ+ athletes would be harder pressed to find someplace to ...
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Chicago Red Stars stay undefeated
Chicago Red Stars stay undefeated On March 23, the Chicago Red Stars took down the Seattle Reign FC 2-1 in the club's home opener at SeatGeek Stadium. With the win, the Red Stars are now 2-0-0 ...
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ACTIVITIES Pickleball, fine eats and fun are all at SPF
Despite the fact that it was invented in 1965, pickleball has only really entered the national consciousness within the last few years. However, there really hadn't been a large indoor dedicated space in Chicago for the ...
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2024 OLYMPICS U.S. women's soccer team's opponents set
The United States women's national soccer team will face Australia, Germany, and either Morocco or Zambia in Group B at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ESPN reported. The tournament will mark the Americans' first competitive games with ...
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Alyssa Naeher wins National Women's Soccer League Impact Save of the Week
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 20, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today. Seven minutes into the eight minutes of added ...
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Red Stars start season with 2-0 win
On March 16, the Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and ...
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SPORTS Red Stars prepare to kick off NWSL season against Utah Royals
It's been a busy winter for the Red Stars, and it's time to put their work to the test. Following a last place finish in the 2023 NWSL season, Chicago has had an active offseason transforming ...
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College athletes sue NCAA over transgender policies
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among a group of college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on March 14, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas ...
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Chicago Red Stars release 2024 roster
CHICAGO (March 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced today their final roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The club's roster is bolstered by an array of experience brought not ...
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Chicago Red Stars release midfielder Jill Aguilera
--From a press release
CHICAGO (March 11, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera. "I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars," said general manager, Richard Feuz. "Over her ...
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Trans golfer banned from competing
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out on Instagram after the NXXT Women's Pro Tour suddenly announced on March 8 (International Women's Day) that participants must be "a biological female at birth" in order to compete—banning D ...
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Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth
Press release
CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of draftee and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth. Nesbeth, Chicago's first-round and tenth overall draft pick in the 2024 National ...
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Chicago Red Stars announce partnership with Wintrust
Press release
CHICAGO (Feb. 27, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars and Wintrust Financial Corporation announced a partnership that will see Wintrust become the club's new front-of-jersey partner and community outreach investment ...
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Chicago Bears hire first woman assistant coach
The Chicago Bears are hiring Jennifer King as an offensive assistant, according to The Chicago Sun-Times and other media outlets. She will be an assistant running backs coach. King—who will become the first female assistant coach ...
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Brittney Griner's jersey retired at Baylor University
On Feb. 18, Baylor University retired Brittney Griner's #42 jersey. Griner—a two-time AP national player of the year, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NCAA women's career blocks leader (with 748)—attended a Bears home game ...
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Six Chicago Red Stars called for international play
CHICAGO (Feb. 15, 2024) — Six Chicago Red Stars—Jill Aguilera, Julia Bianchi, Sam Fisher, Natalia Kuikka, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson—have been called up to represent their respective countries during ...
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Republicans file bill to ban trans women from U.S. Olympic teams
Republicans in both houses of Congress have launched another effort to ban transgender women and girls from female sports teams—and this time, they are attempting to ban trans women from competing on U.S. Olympic teams ahead ...
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GLAAD finds missed chances for LGBTQ+ inclusion in Super Bowl ads
--From a press release
Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 — GLAAD is reacting to a lack of LGBTQ storytelling in ads that aired duringSuper Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11 and is reminding brands, corporations and advertising agencies why including the LGBTQ ...
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GLAAD, NFL host third annual pre-Super Bowl event 'A Night of Pride'
On Feb. 7, LGBTQ+ media-advocacy organization GLAAD, along with The National Football League (NFL), hosted the third annual "A Night of Pride" at Caesar's Palace in Super Bowl LVIII's host city of Las Vegas, a press ...
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Chicago Red Stars appoint Richard Feuz as general manager
--From a press release
CHICAGO (February 5, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars have named Richard Feuz as the team's next general manager to complete a brand-new leadership team in guiding the Red Stars into an exciting era. Feuz joins ...
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LGBTQ+ figure skaters win gold, silver at U.S. Championships
LGBTQ+ figure skater Amber Glenn nailed a triple axel and clinched her first senior U.S. title on Jan. 26 at the 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Columbus, Ohio, per a U.S. Figure Skating report. ...
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SPORTS Chicago Hounds' Nick McCarthy reflects on being out in professional rugby
In recent years, people from numerous high-profile fields have publicly declared themselves as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Among them have been individuals from tech (such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Apple CEO Tim Cook), ...
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Chicago Red Stars set 2024 preseason roster
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 23, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars have set their preseason roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. 17 of the 35 players on the preseason roster are returning Red ...
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Tara VanDerveer becomes winningest coach in college basketball
Stanford University women's basketball coach and gender-rights advocate Tara VanDerveer became the college-basketball coach with the most wins ever on Jan. 21, media outlets reported. After her team defeated Oregon State 65-56, VanDerveer has 1,203 ca ...
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Chicago Fire FC announces 2024 theme nights; Pride Night will be June 1
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 18, 2024) — Chicago Fire FC announced the club's theme nights for select home matches during the 2024 regular season, driven by Carvana. The Club's 2024 calendar features 11 theme nights, including the return ...
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Chicago Red Stars sign Mallory Swanson to historic contract
CHICAGO (January 16, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars have signed Mallory Swanson to a historic long-term contract, making it the most lucrative agreement in the history of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and seeing ...
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Chicago Red Stars select five players during 2024 NWSL Draft
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Jan. 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars selected five players and made four trades during the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft. The team wasted no time and kicked off an active day ...
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USA Boxing adds policy regarding trans competitors
Boxing's highest national governing body, USA Boxing, added a transgender athlete policy to its rulebook that requires genital-reassignment surgery and strict hormone testing for adults before competition, NBC News noted. ...
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Women's pro-hockey league starts play in Toronto
It's a new year—and a new league. On New Year's Day, the first Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) started play, media outlets noted. New York scored a 4-0 win over host Toronto in front of a ...
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SHOWBIZ Indigo Girls, best songs, queer 'Nutcracker,' Colman Domingo, 'Gilded Age'
Following appearances at multiple film festivals, the documentary Indigo Girls: It's Only Life After All is getting a theatrical release next spring, The Advocate noted. Directed by Alexandria Bombach, the film dives into the four decades ...
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Chicago Red Stars appoint Lorne Donaldson as head coach
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Dec. 20, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars have named Lorne Donaldson as the club's new head coach. The former head of the Jamaican Women's National Team led the Reggae Girlz on a historic Women's ...
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LGBTQ+ baseball executives announce cancer battles
Openly gay Major League Baseball (MLB) executive Billy Bean announced he has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and that he needs a donor for a bone-marrow transplant, Gay City News noted. USA Today initially reported ...
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Chicago hosting World Gay Boxing Championships in 2024
Chicago will host the World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) next year. On June 20, 2024, Strong Hands Gym, 3924 N. Broadway, is set to host the second annual championship, Block Club Chicago noted. The first took ...
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Brittney Griner strikes deal with ESPN, Disney
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner will partner exclusively with ESPN and Disney Entertainment Television to share her story through various projects on their platforms, according to a press release. A documentary ...
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Chicago Red Stars re-sign defender Taylor Malham
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Dec. 5, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars re-signed defender Taylor Malham, whose contract was set to expire at the end of 2023. Malham stays signed with the team through 2024, with a club option ...
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Martina Navratilova continues anti-trans comments
Lesbian tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been in the news lately for anti-trans comments, although she has been making them for quite some time. She recently sparked controversy with her remarks on a tribute by UK ...
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Trans women banned from playing cricket
Transgender women have been barred from playing in international women's matches under a new policy from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BBC reported. Any player who has gone through male puberty will not be eligible ...
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Chicago Red Stars provide 2023 roster update
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 20, 2023) — In accordance with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) end-of-season process, the Chicago Red Stars announce the following roster updates. The club exercised the option ...
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Out sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson receives multiple honors
Over the past few weeks, LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has received several honors. The city of Dallas honored LGBTQ+ sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson—twice, according to LGBTQ Nation. Her former high school named the track where she ran ...
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WORLD Latvia, nonbinary magistrate, Gay Games end, Israel soldiers
Latvia's parliament voted to allow same-sex couples to establish civil unions, Reuters reported. Said couples now have legal recognition—but fewer rights than married couples. The new legislation, slated to take effect in the middle of next ...
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Karen Leetzow named Chicago Red Stars president
--From a press release
CHICAGO (Nov. 15, 2023) — The Chicago Red Stars have appointed sports executive and attorney Karen Leetzow as the club's new president. Leetzow joins the Red Stars after serving as the chief legal officer of the ...
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Megan Rapinoe ends career with injury
Soccer icon Megan Rapinoe ended her legendary career on Nov. 11, as an injury caused her to leave her team's championship loss in the NWSL championship, ESPN reported. Rapinoe's team, the OL Reign, fell to NJ/NY ...
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Chicago Red Stars' Julia Bianchi called up to Brazilian Women's National Team
--From a press release
CHICAGO (November 10, 2023) — Chicago Red Stars midfielder, Julia Bianchi, will join the Brazilian Women's National Team for their upcoming friendly matches against Japan and Nicaragua in Brazil. This will be Bianchi's second time jo ...
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PASSAGES Local bowling legend, Wordle enthusiast Mary Ann Graziano
Mary Ann Graziano was a fervent Wordle player, avid bowler and an ace golfer. But above all else, she was a friend to many. The Palatine native died Oct. 9 at the age of 82, after a long illness that left ...
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Gay Games dealing with backlash, low turnout
Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (which is also taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico) is taking place, but is contending with some obstacles, including political backlash and low registration numbers, media outlets have reported. According to ...
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Queer athlete named women's rugby player of the year
World Rugby announced that British captain Marlie Packer has been named this year's World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard, according to a media release. Packer received the award in front ...
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Republican governors ask NCAA to ban trans women from women's sports
Nine Republican governors have signed a letter to the NCAA asking the organization to ban trans women from competing in college women's sports, LGBTQ Nation reported. Among those signing the letter were Govs. Kristi Noem of ...
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Sky player receives WNBA's sportsmanship award
The WNBA announced that Chicago Sky veteran center Elizabeth Williams is the recipient of the 2023 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, per a press release. The award is given to a player that exemplifies the ideals of ...
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Former NBA player denies assault of another man, said sex was consensual
Former NBA player Dwight Howard has denied sexually assaulting another man—but said they had consensual sex, The Advocate reported. In court documents, Howard said the encounter consisted of "consensual sexual activity" and that he caused no ...
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In a first, NBA referee comes out as transgender, nonbinary
NBA referee Che Flores (they/them) came out as transgender and nonbinary in an interview with GQ, The Advocate noted. Flores is the first out trans or nonbinary referee in the NBA, and potentially the other major ...
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USA Cycling unveils updated trans policy
USA Cycling (USAC), the governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States, unveiled its revised Transgender Athlete Participation Policy, Cycling Weekly reported. In doing so, USAC is aligning itself with the standards set ...
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