Compete Sports Diversity

2022 Gay Games in Hong Kong is Postponed to 2023 — Compete Magazine

Breaking news! Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2022 have officially been postponed until November 2023. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #GayGames #GGHK

2022 Gay Games in Hong Kong is Postponed to 2023 — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) In an answer to a question a lot of people were having, the Federation of the Gay Games and the Gay Games Hong Kong organizing committee announced that the 11th edition of the world most inclusive, quadrennial multi-sport event would be postponed until 2023. While a...

First Openly Transgender Woman to Play Professional Hockey Announces Retirement — Compete Magazine

After a career hiatus due to the pandemic, professional hockey's first transgender woman has officially announced her retirement from the game. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #IceHockey #Hockey #PWHPA #WomensHockey #TransAthletes #TransgenderAthletes

First Openly Transgender Woman to Play Professional Hockey Announces Retirement — Compete Magazine One of the first openly transgender hockey players to play in a professional league, Jessica Platt announced she is officially retiring from the sport after five years on the ice. Platt was drafted into the Canadian Women’s Hockey league in 2016 where she played with the Toronto Furies for three s...

North Carolina Sports Association

Compete is in Asheville, North Carolina this week working with our friends and partners at the North Carolina Sports Association(NCSA) We will be doing some sports diversity training along with Legacy. Women. Sports. Leadership and seeing the city. In fact, check out NCSA's website. COMPETEnorthcarolina.com. Compete is their first name, too! Special thanks to Bonny Bernat, Demp Bradford, Sara Gross and Connor Shane Let's do this!

North Carolina Sports Association ABOUT NCSA The North Carolina Sports Association is a statewide collaboration of Sports Commissions, CVBs, Parks and Recreation entities and Sports Authorities from across North Carolina who share a direct interest in supporting sports events. The NCSA exists to help you explore our great state to f...

09/11 and the Legacy of Mark Bingham — Compete Magazine

As we reflect on the 20th anniversary of the fateful day, we recognize one of the many heroes of that day, Mark Bingham. An openly gay rugby player who helped stormed the cockpit of United Flight 93. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #MarkBingham #Rugby #GayRugby #GayAthlete #NeverForget

09/11 and the Legacy of Mark Bingham — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith Mark Bingham was a rugby player and public relations executive who was openly gay. Known for his tall stature, athletic physique, independent and self-driven personality who “marched to his own beat”. He was the only child of Alice Hoagland and Gerald Bingham and growing up in Flor...

09/11 and a Brush with Fate for Ian Thorpe — Compete Magazine

On the fateful day 20 years ago, Olympic and openly gay swimmer, Ian Thorpe was merely minutes away from being on the observation deck of the twin towers. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #September11

09/11 and a Brush with Fate for Ian Thorpe — Compete Magazine During the vacation he took with a friend, the two had planned a full day of sightseeing around the city. Earlier in the morning, Thorpe went for a run around the city and then returned to his hotel to wake up his friend Michelle. The two planned to visit the observation deck of the Twin Towers earl...

Team LGBTQIA+ Finishes 15th in Tokyo Paralympics Medal Count — Compete Magazine

In our Paralympic recap, we reflect on why having so many out LGBTQIA+ athlete at the Paralympics is so important in driving diversity in sports. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #Paralympics #LGBTathletes #TeamLGBT

Team LGBTQIA+ Finishes 15th in Tokyo Paralympics Medal Count — Compete Magazine With 36 openly LGBTQIA+ athletes taking part in the Tokyo Paralympics, if Team LGBTQIA+ were it’s own country, it would’ve been the 29th largest team at the Paralympic Games and finished 15th place in the overall medal count. Coming home with 25 medals, this game represents the most ever won col...

Sports are Trying to Legislate Women’s Bodies Define and Define what a “Woman” is. — Compete Magazine

Did you know that some of the biggest sports organizations (run by men) are attempting to define what a "woman" is based solely on serum testosterones, athletic ability and other arbitrary measures. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #WomenInSports

Sports are Trying to Legislate Women’s Bodies Define and Define what a “Woman” is. — Compete Magazine As the USA and people all throughout the world react to the new Texas law that legislates control over women’s bodies and limit reproductive autonomy and freedom, it is important to talk about how this debate over human rights has been waging in a different battleground, sports. Now before we get ...

Team LGBTQIA+ Paralympians are a Force to be Reckoned With — Compete Magazine

During these Paralympics, Team LGBTQIA+ isn't just showing up to represent, they are here to compete and win! #iCompete #SportsDiversity #Paralympics #TeamLGBT #LGBTathletes

Team LGBTQIA+ Paralympians are a Force to be Reckoned With — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) Currently standing at 14th in the medal count, the 34 out LGBTQIA+ athletes competing at the Tokyo Paralympics are showing the world how it’s done. Just like their colleagues at the Olympics earlier this summer, the athletes at the Paralympics represent the larges...

Post-Pandemic LGBTQIA+ Sports, Returning to Play — Compete Magazine

August/September is featuring some of the first major LGBTQIA+ sporting events to take place since the pandemic began, first Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames then 2021 GSWS Columbus and finally the #GayBowlXXI later this month. Coming out of the pandemic, these events have a whole new purpose. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #GSWS #Eurogames #GayBowl #FlagFootball #Softball #GaySports #LGBTsports

Post-Pandemic LGBTQIA+ Sports, Returning to Play — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) More and more people are getting vaccinated and while the Delta variant is coming along and causing trouble, a light appears at the end of the tunnel for this pandemic. The last year has disrupted the LGBTQIA+ sports community all over the world, with every major LG...

Gay Softball World Series Steps Up to the Plate For First Time in Two Years — Compete Magazine

2021 GSWS Columbus is happening!! Who's excited! We can't wait to see you there! #iCompete #Softball #GSWS #GaySoftball #SportsDiversity

Gay Softball World Series Steps Up to the Plate For First Time in Two Years — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) As a non-softball player, and someone probably as far disconnected from the sport as one can be. I find writing a letter from the editor for an entire issue on the Gay Softball World Series to be a real… pitch. Now, read that again with your best RuPaul bottom [.....

Are you going to the 2021 GSWS Columbus? Be sure to say "hi" to Solutions IV Boutique & MediSpa , the official IV partner of the 2021 Gay Softball World Series. www.solutionsivmedispa.com

Are you going to the 2021 GSWS Columbus? Be sure to say "hi" to Solutions IV Boutique & MediSpa , the official IV partner of the 2021 Gay Softball World Series. www.solutionsivmedispa.com

Paralympics Kick Off with Team LGBTQIA+ Carrying Flags and Winning Medals — Compete Magazine

Team LGBTQIA+ is representing PROUD at the 2020 Paralympic Games! #iCompete #SportsDiversity #Paralympics #Tokyo2020

Paralympics Kick Off with Team LGBTQIA+ Carrying Flags and Winning Medals — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) The 2020 Paralympics began only days ago and Team LGBTQIA+ is representing, with 31 out LGBTQIA+ athletes competing this year, more than double compared to Rio 2016 and they’re not just here to play. As Outsports has tallied, there are at least a dozen sports and ...

Eurogames 2021 Has Renewed my Spirit in the LGBTQIA+ Sports Movement — Compete Magazine

After a week competing in swimming and celebrating pride at Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames, our managing editor, Dirk Smith, reflects on how the experience helped to renew his spirit in the LGBTQI sports movement. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #Pride #WorldPride #Eurogames #YouAreIncluded #FitwithPRIDE #LGBTsports #gaysports

Eurogames 2021 Has Renewed my Spirit in the LGBTQIA+ Sports Movement — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) So, as I write this post- Eurogames trip report, I expected this article was going to go one of two ways. Either detailing a train wreck or reacting with pleasant surprise that it wasn’t a train wreck. If you’ve been following my writing here at Compete since 20...

Eurogames 2021 Mourns Passing of Water Polo Player — Compete Magazine

Unfortunately Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames was not without tragedy when Paris Aquatique's, Etienne Burguy, suffered a medical emergency and passed away. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #YouAreIncluded #WaterPolo

Eurogames 2021 Mourns Passing of Water Polo Player — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) As the games went underway earlier this week, tragedy struck when Etienne Burguy, a member of Paris Aquatique Water Polo became ill and was hospitalized where he passed away. The Frenchman traveled to Copenhagen with his team and had already participated in a match....

Eurogames 2021 Gender Inclusive Sport Policy Makes Sport Accessible and Welcome for Non-Binary, Trans and Intersex Athletes — Compete Magazine

Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames's gender inclusive sport policies have highlighted what sports can mean for non-binary, trans and intersex people who want to participate but don't fit within the binary. Something that Eurogames swimmer, Emmanuelle, experiences first hand. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #YouAreIncluded

Eurogames 2021 Gender Inclusive Sport Policy Makes Sport Accessible and Welcome for Non-Binary, Trans and Intersex Athletes — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) One of the things that tends to set LGBTQIA+ sports events apart from their mainstream counterparts is the more inclusive gender policies regarding non-binary, transgender, and intersex participants. After all, it wouldn’t be “LGBTQIA+” if we disregarded gende...

Amazin LêThị and Compete Sports Diversity Managing Editor, Dirk Smith, Discuss Intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ Discrimination and Racism at Copenhagen 2021 Sports Leader Conference — Compete Magazine

In case you missed it, catch up a bit with Amazin LêThị's and our managing editor Dirk's fire side chat about the intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ discrimination and racism in sport during the Sports Leader Conference as part of the Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #LGBTsports

Amazin LêThị and Compete Sports Diversity Managing Editor, Dirk Smith, Discuss Intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ Discrimination and Racism at Copenhagen 2021 Sports Leader Conference — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) As part of the 2021 Eurogames and the greater World Pride event taking place this week in Copenhagen, the Sports Leader Conference, as an extension of the Human Rights Conference, sought out to “consider inclusion and expansion of LGBTQI sport” meant to facilita...

Copenhagen 2021 adds the international popstar to their lineup, and prepares to release 3000 extra concert tickets. — Compete Magazine

We're excited to see Mo close out the Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames this weekend! #iCompete #SportsDiversity #YouAreIncluded #CPH2021 #Eurogames

Copenhagen 2021 adds the international popstar to their lineup, and prepares to release 3000 extra concert tickets. — Compete Magazine Behind the pop sensation MØ you will find the Danish-born singer Karen Marie Ørsted. On Saturday 21 August she returns to the Danish stage to perform at K B Hallen in Copenhagen, as a part of the WorldPride & EuroGames Closing Ceremony. You can also view the Closing Ceremony on the big screens at ...

Our own managing editor and associate director of education, Dirk Smith joined Amazin LêThị for a “fire side chat” at the Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames Human Rights Conference. We had a nice discussion on the Intersectionality of LGBTQI Discrimination and Racism in Sports” and how we can work to make sports accessible and diverse. Dirk is flying out to Copenhagen tomorrow to compete at the Eurogames and take part in the World Pride festivities. So stay tuned for more of his coverage! It will be a great week! #FitwithPRIDE #iCompete #SportsDiversity #YouAreIncluded www.competenetwork.com

Our own managing editor and associate director of education, Dirk Smith joined Amazin LêThị for a “fire side chat” at the Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride & EuroGames Human Rights Conference. We had a nice discussion on the Intersectionality of LGBTQI Discrimination and Racism in Sports” and how we can work to make sports accessible and diverse. Dirk is flying out to Copenhagen tomorrow to compete at the Eurogames and take part in the World Pride festivities. So stay tuned for more of his coverage! It will be a great week! #FitwithPRIDE #iCompete #SportsDiversity #YouAreIncluded www.competenetwork.com

Tokyo Olympics Recap — Compete Magazine

In our final Olympic recap, there are some important historical moments to reflect upon and things we still need to learn, moving forward with increased LGBTQIA+ diversity at the Olympic Games. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #Olympics #TeamLGBT #Tokyo2020

Tokyo Olympics Recap — Compete Magazine By Dirk Smith, M.Sc, SDL (He/Him) The summer Olympics this year were remarkable and historical for several reasons, most notably for the powerhouse of Team LGBTQIA+ as more than 182 openly LGBTQIA+ athletes took park, more than 3x of any previous Olympic games. Non-Binary/Transgender Athletes Repres...

LGBT International Powerlifting Championships Adopts "All Equal" Motto, Will Return in 2022 — Compete Magazine

The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships reflects on Laurel Hubbard's historic Olympic debut and adopts a new model for the 2022 LGBT IPC event. #iCompete #SportsDiversity #Powerlifting #transathletes #allequal

LGBT International Powerlifting Championships Adopts "All Equal" Motto, Will Return in 2022 — Compete Magazine The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (LGBT IPC) are delighted to announce they will next be held in Manchester in July 2022. Once again, they will be providing a safe space for Le***an, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (Trans) athletes to participate and compete in strength sports. The Cha...

Thank you Official N.A.G.A.A.A. Softball and thank you Ken.

As most of you know we lost an incredible human on July 7th and HOF has decided to create a special scholarship fund in his honor as part of the NAGAAA Hall of Fame.

August was Ken's birthday month and we will be raising funds for the scholarship fund all month.

Here is how it will work:

Mission Statement: The Scholarship fund would help NAGAAA members in good standing with higher education needs as well as athletic leadership achievements.

How it would work: Individuals would fill out an application for this scholarship and would then be reviewed by a board of 7 designated HOF members to consider their award.

How would NAGAAA HOF raise funds: The month of August would be considered the fundraising month since Ken’s birthday was in that month. In addition NAGAAA-HOF would ask members to donate as well as NAGAAA member cities and players. One ask will be that each of the tournaments that we run each year should they turn a profit, we would ask for a donation from the tournament.

The Award Amount and how many: The Award amount will depend on how much we raise. The number of awardees will also depend on the amount raised.

When would awards be given out? August of each year starting in 2022 and this can be part of the NAGAAA Hall of Fame Dinner.

Corporate Match possibility: We would attempt to get a corporate company to match the donations of the month of August up to a certain amount.

Donations: The donations would be made at the NAGAAA website like other Payments we have.

Attached a flyer with a code for you to go right to the Page on The NAGAAA website to donate.

Please consider donating to this new initiative