The Blair Academy in New Jersey Wrestling Team's It Gets Better Video, and Athlete Ally... Now what about YOUR school's teams?

Happy Halloween! 

In keeping with the American tradition of trick or treating (kids dressing up in costumes and going door to door to collect candy...) this post is divided up into one trick and one treat.

First, the treat:

Check out this amazing (and under one minute) It Gets Better Video, by the wrestling team at Blair Academy:



And Athlete Ally (started by Hudson Taylor) has a pledge on their home page:

I pledge to lead my athletic community to respect and welcome all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field.

I think that's pretty amazing. 

Then, the trick:

Here's a video of Hudson doing a crazy-impressive card trick!


Now, the changing our world for the better:

So how about it?  What about YOUR sports teams at your school?  Can you and your GSA club team up with them and encourage them to sign this pledge?  Can they make an It Gets Better video?

Hudson and these athletes at Blair are leading the way, and making things better.

Let's join them!

Namaste,
Lee

Hudson Taylor is an Ally to the GLBTQ Community, and he's trying to change the world of sports to be less homophobic & more respectful of all people!

Hudson was a three time All American wrestler in Division One of the NCAA and was ranked number three in the entire nation. He's straight, and wrestled with a Human Rights Campaign equality sticker on his helmet to show his support for GLBTQ equality, for which he got a lot of flack.



Now he's the wrestling coach at Columbia University, and he's created a website and campaign, Athlete Ally, where people can go to sign this pledge: "I pledge to lead my athletic community to respect and welcome all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field."



How awesome is that? Check out this interview with Hudson:



Want more to love about this Ally? He's getting married (to a woman) in Washington, D.C., because it's somewhere Gay people can get married as well!

So what are you waiting for? Go sign the pledge!

And Thank You, Hudson!

Namaste,
Lee