2. LGBTQ Inclusion and Religion: Seeking Common Ground in Sports Thursday, January 16, 2014

3. Pat Griffin Professor Emerita University of Massachusetts Amherst

4. Nevin Caple Co-Founder and Executive Director Br{ache the Silence Campaign @BTSCampaign

5. My Story: Finding God’s Love

6. What are some of the challenges/solutions in finding common ground? Lack of diverse voices represented; intersectionality (religion, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression) – Be proactive and seek out role models for student-athletes Unsupportive parents, families or religious communities – Partner with campus multicultural/LGBT centers to identify LGBT-affirming religious resources and communities Claims of “religious-based” department/team values by athletic administrators or coaches – Facilitate inclusion programming focused on changing behaviors, not values – Use inclusive words and descriptions which uplift vs. isolate and marginalize members of the team or department

7. Lisa Howe Executive Director Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce @HoweAbout

8. Josh Sanders Higher Education Committee Member GO! Athletes @joshbsanders

9. My Story Involved in sports ministry for 6 years: – Summer’s Best Two Weeks, InterVarsity, FCA – Athlete, coach, counselor, and athletic director – “Came out” January 2012 – “Reparative Therapy” – Backlash from the Christian Community – GO! Athletes – Outsports

10. The Catalyst for Change “ Sports have the power to change the world, the power to inspire, the power to unite people…” ~ Nelson Mandela

11. Inclusion & Religion The most challenging, difficult, and painful conversation regarding LGBTQ equality. The Church Why? – 8x more likely to attempt suicide – 6x more likely to experience high levels of depression – 3x more likely to use illegal drugs – 3x as likely to be at risk for HIV/AIDS – Retrieved from http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative- therapy

12. Common Ground Effective dialogue involves education Learning each other’s language: – Sexual Orientation – “Homosexual” VS “Gay” or “LGBTQ” – “Lifestyle” Shared interest Common ground must drive inclusive policy

13. Lynn Thompson Director of Athletics Bethune-Cookman University @bccad95