USA Volleyball Article: Creating an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Volleyball Culture

Did you see my article in USA volleyball’s January 2021 magazine issue of The Court?

The article is titled Creating an Inclusive Volleyball Culture.  Don’t worry if you don’t have a subscription, you can read the full article here.

I had the opportunity to interview Galen Dodd, the technical coordinator for the U.S. Men’s Sitting Team and Giovana Melo, the head women’s volleyball for CSU Bakersfield about their thoughts and experiences around LGBTQ+ inclusion. I also share 4 tips for creating a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ athletes on your team or in your club.

As a cisgender lesbian woman and Athlete Ally Ambassador, LGBTQ+ inclusion is a matter close to my heart. Most people don’t realize the level of discrimination that exists within sports and the devastating impact on the mental health, performance, and retention of athletes. Here’s a few stats from the Trevor Project that I included in my article…

A national survey of more than 40,000 LGBTQ youth conducted by the Trevor Project in 2020 found that 40% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide, and 68% reported symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. The survey results highlighted a correlation between LGBTQ discrimination and mental health challenges among youth. However, survey findings also showed that LGBTQ youth who participate in sports reported higher grades and fewer symptoms of depression.

Here’s another snippet from the article…

Volleyball can be a lifelong hobby or a means to a college education. It can break down cultural barriers, provide lasting friendships and overcome divides that feel impossible to bridge. Perhaps the greatest gift volleyball has to offer is a sense of belonging. For marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ youth, the opportunity to be a part of a team and play a sport like volleyball can be life-changing and, in some cases, even lifesaving.