In honor of Pride Month, we have asked our partners at You Can Play Project and Athlete Ally to share trusted resources for people to support the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan who is looking for a support network or help in talking about LGBTQ+ issues or a media outlet that covers LGBTQ+ sports, this is a good starting point. 

USL Partners

You Can Play Project – Non-profit working “to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. We achieve this by creating a community of allies that is able to foster a true sense of belonging. This becomes possible when sports teams sharpen the focus on the person’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

WEBSITE: www.youcanplayproject.org

Athlete Ally – Founded by a college wrestler, Athlete Ally works to end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality. Partners with the “Playing for Pride” initiative, the player-focused fundraising platform founded by former USL player Austin da Luz.

WEBSITE: www.athleteally.org

LGBTQ+ Support Resources

Compete Network – Digital media company dedicated to uniting LGBT and non-LGBT communities through sports.

WEBSITE: competenetwork.com

Equality Foundation – Nonprofit working on issues—from advancing workplace fairness and family recognition to defeating anti-transgender bills and HIV criminalization laws—that affect how LGBTQ+ people experience the world.

WEBSITE: www.equalityfederation.org

GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) – Long-standing organization that works to ensure that the stories of LGBT people are heard through the media. GLAAD promotes understanding, increases acceptance, and advances equality.

WEBSITE: www.glaad.org

GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) Sports Project – An education and advocacy program focused on addressing LGBT issues in K-12 school-based athletic and physical education programs.

WEBSITE: www.glsen.org

It Gets Better Project – Communicating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to make it better for them.

WEBSITE: itgetsbetter.org

The Knights and Orchids Society – Focused on communities in the south, the Knights and Orchids Society builds the power of transgender, lesbian, bisexual, and gay Black people by providing a spectrum of health and wellness services.

WEBSITE: tkosociety.com

Outsports.com – Media outlet on a mission to build the broadest, deepest, most informative and most entertaining gay sports community.

WEBSITE: www.outsports.com

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) – Founded in 1973, this venerable nonprofit is a powerful resource for parents and families.

WEBSITE: pflag.org