This week’s LGBT sports winners list pays tribute to Rep. John Lewis

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Against the backdrop of an ever-worsening coronavirus pandemic, the NBA, WNBA, NHL and MLB are preparing to play shortened seasons in the coming days.

Wherever you are, I hope you’re safe, healthy and taking precautions to protect yourself and those you care about, as I take a moment to look back at the week that was. And in doing so, I’m paying tribute to a legend in the fight for equality: Rep. John Lewis.

The 80-year-old civil rights icon who died Friday urged us all to get into “good trouble, necessary trouble” to fight against injustice and inequality. This week’s winners, then, will be branded “Good Trouble,” and the losers, “Bad Trouble.”

My weekly list begins with tributes to Lewis from LGBT sports heroes and other famous names:

As the nation mourns a civil rights icon, so do some of our country’s out LGBT sports icons and other prominent figures.


Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne, who suffers from chronic Lyme disease, says doctors denied her application to opt-out.

In an emotional Players’ Tribune op-ed, Elena Delle Donne discusses how Lyme disease ravages her immune system and should prevent her from playing in a pandemic.


Briann January and Natisha Hiedeman tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and will miss at least some of training camp. Listen to The Trans Sporter Room podcast next Wednesday when Sun Coach Curt Miller joins us with an update on January and Hiedeman, and offers his own thoughts about playing in The Bubble, plus a look back at 2019 and the shortened season ahead.


“Our team is united in the Movement for Black Lives,” reads the tweet, signed by the players and tweeted on the team’s official account Friday.


Right, Arizona State University rowing coach Imran Malik.
Photo Provided

Imran Malik, who coaches the rowing team at Arizona State University, says he feels a special bond with his athletes. Malik joins us next week for this important event:

Malik and four other coaches from across sports will discuss how to handle the situation when an LGBTQ athlete comes out on your team.


Zoe Kim
Karleigh Webb/Outsports

When Zoe Kim came out in high school, she was taunted and demeaned. That all changed at Sarah Lawrence College.


Lucas Jodoin was warned he might get bullied for putting Pride Tape on his blade, and he was, but he did it anyway, to show his support.


Sonny Kiss

Sonny Kiss
Facebook

Kiss challenged Cody for the TNT championship at AEW’s Fight for the Fallen Wednesday night, one year after making his singles debut at the same event.


Rose Namajunas avenged her loss to Andrade at UFC 237, but the out fighter held her own in a narrow split decision loss that received “Fight of the Night” honors.


Krystal Brazel worked at Lutheran High School for five years as a coach and athletic trainer.


A scene from “Born to Play”
Park Pictures

A documentary film about LGBTQ and straight women who play tackle football debuted on ESPN earlier this month and was shown nationwide on ABC on Saturday.


ABC invited Adam Rippon to comment on a scenario, in which a young gay athlete struggling with coming out.


Finley retired in December after leading Seattle University’s women’s volleyball program for seven seasons, capping off a 21-year collegiate coaching career.


In a career filled with firsts, Valentina Sampaio helps Sports Illustrated embrace the trans community.


With the latest ‘anonymous Premier League player,’ co-founder Cyd Zeigler says some British tabloids keep causing more problems than they solve.


Goalkeeper Chloe Morgan says playing soccer is a “safe haven” for her.


Evans was the first woman to compete in three sports at the Commonwealth Games.


O’Shay Edwards

O’Shay Edwards
JayLee Photography/@JayLeeAC

The Big Bad Kaiju long struggled with his sexual identity but has found love, acceptance and liberation since unveiling his truth in and out of the ring.


Stephen Finkel used a teammate’s gay slur as a catalyst to come out, including support from four NHL players.


Jonathan Kliment decided to be himself as he pursues his dream of broadcasting one day in the NHL.


Tegan Nox
WWE

Welsh WWE wrestler Tegan Nox and her girlfriend Sierra St. Pierre confirmed they’re in a relationship with posts on Instagram.


“I want to be an example to young female swimmers and help ones who are struggling with this, so they can see it’s normal,” Martha McCabe told the CBC. Listen to her conversation with co-founder Cyd Zeigler on Monday’s Five Rings To Rule Them All podcast.


This event offered tips on how to address anti-LGBTQ language on your team or during a game.


That’s all for this week! I’ll bring you a fresh list of winners and losers next Saturday. Got a name I missed, or want to challenge my choices? Comment here or on Facebook or Instagram, tweet at us, message me via any social media, or just plain email me at [email protected] Thanks!

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