SWIMSUIT ISSUE XV HAPPY MAY - JUNE 2021 $3.95 • COMPETENETWORK.COM
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FEATURE 18 COMPETE’S 15th ANNUAL SWIMSUIT ISSUE Our Favorite Photos From Past Issues
MAY - JUNE 2021 COMPETENETWORK.COM ONE-ON-ONE 16 San Francisco 49ers Exhibit Pride Year-Round 27
Catching Up With Amazin LêThi
31 Stonewall Sports Aims to Honor the Spirit of the Stonewall Riot MVP 24 2019 Swimsuit Issue FROM COMPETENETWORK.COM 36 Nutrition with Intent EVENTS 38 Compete Calendar of Events FIT & FAB 40 Taking the Emotion Out of Food GYM BAG 42 Hot Items You Shouldn’t Do Without BEDROOM SPORTS 44 Taking Pride in my Speedo 46
Best of Florida
Photo credit: Don Thompson
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s an avid fan of roller coasters, I am always up for a ride on the biggest, tallest and fastest scream machines I can find. However, the roller coaster that was this past year is not one I am eager to ride again. From the highs of finishing my master’s degree to the lows of constant rejections from job and PhD applications, the pandemic and eight-month lockdown we went through here in Germany has really put my mental health through the ringer. Fortunately, things slowly but surely started improving back in February. And while I had my moments, I started to feel more optimistic. Work was picking up again, I started getting more involved in other projects and I started spending time outside of the house to exercise and go for walks around the city. My responsibilities here at Compete Sports Diversity have since grown. In addition to my work writing articles for the blog and the magazine, I am now developing courses on Diversity and Inclusion for the Sports Diversity Council’s Leadership Designation Track. Most importantly, I am excited to announce my promotion from Associate Editor of Sports to Managing Editor and Associate Education Director. With this promotion, I will be expanding my skills in managing, recruiting new writers to cover a diversity of topics and perspectives outside of my own and managing the Sports Diversity Leadership Education Program which will include applying my training in sports science, sports psychology and sports diversity to help train the next generation of Sports Diversity Leaders.
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Kicking it off is our annual Pride issue that this year happens to coincide with another important event. It's the 15th year for Compete's annual Swimsuit issue, so we’re excited to feature some of our favorite amateur athletes and styles from the last 15 years. There are some great moments from some of my favorite events and many others that I am excited to help show you and be part of this legacy. Over the next few months as I transition to this new role, I am experiencing a new period of growth and change in my personal and professional life. While I don’t know yet where it’ll take me, I am excited to have the support of Eric, Jared, Connie and the team who are here to cheer me on. And I am looking forward to seeing everybody again this next year at the Sin City Classic, the Sports Diversity Summit and other big events throughout the year as we are getting back to what we do best. So, sit upright, hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
Dirk Smith (He/Him/His), SDL Managing Editor dirk@competenetwork.com @competedirk
CATBIRD SEAT:
It’s Time To
As I sit here in my “Love Is Love” T-shirt reviewing this issue, I’m reminded just how much we have to celebrate. Of course, the biggie is that the pandemic is easing in the U.S. and other parts of the world and many are able to go OUT for the first time in what seems like an eternity. For example, the Pride Run series launched a new race in Tampa/St. Pete, Chicago Pride Bowl was able to be held this year, and I’m sure many of you are participating in a Pride parade or simply getting together with friends for some fun in the sun. The other big reason to celebrate is that this is PRIDE month and this is our Pride issue, always a favorite with all of us at Compete. From the very beginning, we’ve always tried to be professional without necessarily following the crowd. And one of our basic beliefs was that Compete (then Sports Out Loud) should feature amateur and recreational athletes as often as possible, especially in our swimsuit issues. So what a fortuitous event – our Pride issue coincides this year with our 15th annual Swimsuit issue and we’ve decided to combine them. For the swimsuit feature we’ve selected some of our favorite pictures from past issues since the pandemic put the kibosh on a photoshoot. You’ll notice that each year has a slightly different take on the layout, all with a little bit of fun and whimsy we like to throw in. In another wonderful event, David “Dirk” Smith, your favorite sports editor will be assuming the role of managing editor and associate education director. The magazine and the Compete Sports Diversity Council (CSDC) are continuing to grow and I’m so happy to have Dirk’s help! As he and I have worked together over the years, I’ve watched him grow and mature. We’ve always worked well together and I’m really looking forward to our ability to enhance what Compete and the CSDC can offer. Please be sure to read a couple of his interviews in this issue. We really do need to celebrate the positive things in life, even when the negative can feel overwhelming. Having both a gay son, grandson and many other gay people I know and love, I once saw a Facebook post that I really believe speaks to the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. When you are born in a world you don’t fit in, it’s because you were born to help create a new one. Let’s create this new one, celebrating together with laughter, joy and lots of Pride!
Connie Wardman (She/Her/Hers), M.A., SDLT connie@competenetwork.com
@CompeteConnie
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WITH YOU
Shake Your Pride Things THE GLOBAL LEADER IN SPORTS DIVERSITYTM
It’s Pride Month and this year we’ve combined our Pride Issue with our Swimsuit Issue. This is our 15th Annual Swimsuit Issue to be exact and we think May-June is perfect swimsuit weather. Compete, like all media has evolved over the past 15 years. One thing that hasn’t changed though, is our dedication to featuring amateur athletes in all of our issues. This year we did something different to celebrate 15 years—we’ve randomly selected some of our favorite swimsuit photos from years past. We couldn’t include every photo but we really would have liked to. Looking back to 2007, I remember our very first photo shoot in Dallas. We featured athletes from a number of sports – rugby, softball, boxing, martial arts and many more. At that time many people said Compete wouldn’t last a year, yet here we are celebrating our 15th Annual Swimsuit Issue. The models have changed each year but our vision-turned-mission “To Unite the World Through Sports” has not. The entire Compete team wakes up every day knowing that by advocating for change and further sports diversity, the world will be a better place for everyone. So what better place to celebrate 15 swimsuit covers than during Pride Month? Party on!
With You,
Eric Carlyle (He/Him/His), SDLT Publisher/CEO eric@competenetwork.com @CompeteEric
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PUBLISHER/CEO Eric Carlyle eric@competenetwork.com COMPETE SPORTS DIVERSITY Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman connie@competenetwork.com Managing Editor Dirk Smith dirk@competenetwork.com Art Director Heather Brown heather@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, Matt Boyles, Ian Colgate, Ryan Evans, Jared Garduno, Heron Gonzales, Miriam Latto, Kevin Majoros, Ryan O'Connor, Brian Patrick, Naomi "Bez" Zebro Staff Photographer Ariel Stevens ariel@competenetwork.com Vice President Jared Garduno jared@competenetwork.com Administration Bethany Harvat bethany@competenetwork.com Director, Sales & Partnerships Trayer Martinez trayer@competenetwork.com Jerilyn Hanhardt jerilyn@competenetwork.com Copyright © 2021 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved. Compete Unites the World Though SportsTM All Mail PO Box 2756, Scottsdale, AZ 85252 • (800) 489-1274 Corporate Office 6991 East Camelback Road, Suite D-300, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC
Sports Diversity Leadership Council, Sports Diversity Leader and SDL are trademarks of Media Out Loud, LLC. Subscribe to Compete Magazine online at CompeteNetwork.com
HIGH FIVE
CARL NASSIB, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS … for coming out as gay on Monday, June 21, becoming the first active NFL player to do so. He noted that teens are five times more likely to commit suicide as they struggle with their sexuality and announced that he’s donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project that “provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning young adults.” The NFL is matching Nassib’s $100,000 pledge to the Trevor Project. Nassib's jersey is now the highest selling NFL jersey. LAYSHIA CLARENDON AND THE WNBA … for the courage on Clarendon’s part to end their struggle with gender dysphoria and undergo top surgery, coming out as transgender, nonbinary. … for courage on the WNBA’s part to be open and supportive for him through the process, setting an example for other professional teams that gender isn’t simply binary. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS … for donating manager Gabe Kapler’s rainbow Pride cap to the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame where it will go on display. Absolutely unprecedented! JORDAN WINDLE … for making the U.S. Olympic Diving Team. Called “The Little Louganis,” Jordan has received coaching from Louganis in addition to his regular coaches. The 22-year-old’s gay dad, Jerry adopted 18-month-old Jordan from an orphanage in Cambodia when blocked from adopting in the U.S. because he was a gay man. There’s lot of extra Pride in the Windle home this month! SIMONE BILES … for becoming the first woman in history to land a Yurchenko double pike in competition. Following the Olympic Games, the five-time world all-around champion will headline her own 35-city Gold Over America Tour, a nod to her title of GOAT (Greatest of All Time). File:Simone Biles at the 2016 Olympics all-around gold medal podium (28262782114).jpg: Agência Brasil Fotografiasderivative work: Minerva97, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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credit: Michael Clemens, Las Vegas Raiders
5 HIGH
As an early leader in the sports diversity movement, Compete Magazine normally gives out High Fives to deserving athletes, teams, leagues, organizations and corporations as well as high profile celebrities for their contributions to promote diversity, inclusion, equality and acceptance for all.
COMPETE READER SURVEY & GRANDSTANDING
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GRANDSTANDING Everyone is Welcome (March-April 2021) I really enjoyed your March-April issue, especially the cover story. Schulyer Bailar seems like a confident and happy athlete. I am so proud of a fellow transgender athlete shining so bright and inspiring others. Cat Kincaid Oak Park, Illinois From the Cover of Compete to the San Francisco 49ers (March-April 2021) I was reading your blog post about the San Francisco 49ers working on a Pride Month project with Fallon Fox when I found your March-April issue and read your story on Fallon and Chris Mosier. Both Fallon and Chris are true trailblazers and deserve to be called out for the work they have done in sports. I think both of them were worthy of the cover and after reading your article I realized they’ve already been there and done that. Good job, Compete! David Lowell San Francisco, California Please submit all Letters to Compete via email to: letters@competenetwork.com
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COMPETE SPORTS DIVERSITY COUNCIL
AMATEUR, OLYMPIC AND PRO SPORTS DIVERSITY ADVOCATES GATHER TO FURTHER SPORTS DIVERSITY & APPOINT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON A group of national sports leaders from such prestigious organizations as the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Mercury, North American Gay Amateur Athletic Association, National Gay Flag Football League, Stonewall Sports and US Quidditch recently gathered in Phoenix for the Compete Sports Diversity Summit. Held at the Cardinals’ home of State Farm Stadium on May 21-23, the group discussed issues related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equality/Equity, Acceptance, and Leadership (IDEAL Principles). During the event’s conclusion, Connor Shane, SDLT was nominated by the Compete Sports Diversity Leadership Committee as its new chair. “Sports exist as the greatest form of social inclusion there is. Even before I began a career in the sports industry, I felt very strongly about this,” said Shane. In accepting the nomination, Shane continued to say that “This organization is one of the most unique and genuine that I have had the pleasure of working with. I am beyond humbled to accept the position as chair and I am ecstatic to serve this community in my new role.” “Shane is a former nationally ranked gymnast, a national governing body (NGB) executive and a sports diversity pioneer,” said Compete CEO, Eric Carlyle, SDLT. “We are grateful for his willingness to help us as we advance sports diversity.” The Compete team is currently developing an action plan for the Leadership Committee and will be working with some of the best and brightest sports leaders in amateur, Olympic and professional sports.
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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS EXHIBIT PRIDE YEAR ROUND
Photo credit: 49ers.com
TRAYER MARTINEZ, SDLT (HE/HIM/HIS)
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ONE-ON-ONE The San Francisco 49ers PRIDE was launched in 2019 as the first-ever fan club started by an NFL franchise to directly engage and support LGBTQIA+ fans and allies. Known as The Faithful, the group is an extension of the organization’s long-standing support of the LGBTQIA+ community, including more than $150,000 donated since 2005 to local and national nonprofits such as GLAAD and the San Francisco LGBTQ+ Center. So when the San Francisco 49ers launched the first ever genderless retail collection for Pride this year, I was able to talk with Hannah Gordon, the Team’s chief administrative officer and general council about what else the team has in store for Pride this year.
kinds of events were events that our fans had wanted to see from us. TM: Do you have other 49er initiatives planned for Pride and beyond that haven’t come from the Faithful? HG: We have three elements of our Pride planned for this 2021 Pride. The first is the first ever genderless retail collection by an NFL team with our crop top as well as our sleeveless tank. The second part is we will be featuring our Pride members and their stories not only in photography but in videography as well. Our third piece, as you mentioned earlier is our annual LGBTQ+ Athletes in Sports Panel featuring Fallon Fox, Sam Rappaport and Chris Gabriel.
Trayer Martinez: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me, Hannah. Clearly, the 49ers are on the TM: What can we do to help you with those? forefront of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community in a number of ways, particularly HG: Great question. I think the transgender community. participation in these activities In your very first Activism in "...PARTICIPATION IN really demonstrates to the Sports Panel in 2019 you had entire NFL League and the THESE ACTIVITIES REALLY transgender male boxer Pat entire sports industry that there Manuel as a panel member and DEMONSTRATES TO THE ENTIRE are fans all over, whether they this year you have trans female are LGBTQ+ or allies, that they retired MMA fighter Fallon Fox. NFL LEAGUE AND THE ENTIRE are expecting organizations Has the 49ers organization SPORTS INDUSTRY THAT THERE and brands to step up in this been involved in protesting any way; that they aren’t only fans ARE FANS ALL OVER, WHETHER of the anti-trans legislation, like but that they also deserve to the old bathroom bills or the THEY ARE LGBTQ+ OR ALLIES, be seen, heard and celebrated newer bans on transgender girls as fans. That they are also your THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING participating in girls sports that customer base and you are a number of states have already something that they want as a ORGANIZATIONS AND BRANDS TO passed or have tried to pass? part of their team. STEP UP IN THIS WAY..." Hannah Gordon: We engage TM: Do you also take into in legislation within our account the feelings and beliefs footprint only, which in general of the organization’s staff as well as the coaches and is local legislation in the Bay area or in California. But we players? don’t ever engage regardless of the topic in state legislation in other states. Thankfully, we live in a state where this HG: We absolutely do. I think one of the really beautiful isn’t something that the people are trying to propose. We had a professor from San Jose State University who things that came out of watching 49ers Pride was the internal conversations we were able to have, the space gave a whole talk around trans-athlete participation in we were able to create for people to share their own sports and how we as a culture have used stereotypes to personal stories and for people to be involved in cross ban people from sports in a way that is quite harmful, functional departments. Not only was it marketing or especially for those who are competing as women. in fan engagement to be a part of this, we had people in TM: What other suggestions or requests have you stadium ops or in other departments who, based on their received from your Faithful members that you now have personal experience, we were like “Hey, we want to hear in your pipeline? from you, what do you want to see? We want you to be a sounding board.” HG: A few of the things we’ve done in the past have So we think that was the beautiful part of launching this. definitely been influenced by ideas the people have had. When we first participated as a float during Pride, that TM: Again, Hannah, thanks for taking the time to was something we participated in as a sponsor of Pride share this information with our readers! The 49ers are but we didn’t have a float so having our fans and some of certainly setting the example for how professional sports our team representatives come out and participate in it teams can engage with their local fans and support what was really fun. In 2019 we had an away game watch party we, at Compete Sports Diversity refer to as our IDEAL in the Castro with a Drag Queen halftime show which was Principles of I-Inclusion; D-Diversity; E-Equality/Equity; a great combination of fun activities. Last year we virtually A-Acceptance; and L-Leadership. celebrated “National Coming Out Day” so having those
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CATCHING UP WITH BY DIRK SMITH, SDLT (HE/HIM/HIS) Dirk Smith: I am joined today by Amazin LêThi. Thanks for joining me today. Please introduce yourself for our readers. Amazin LêThi: Thank you for having me. I'm an LGBTQIA+ activist/advocate, former competitive bodybuilder, keynote speaker, author and global ambassador to six organizations, five of them sports related, including Athlete Ally; Stonewall; Copenhagen 2021; Pride House Birmingham; Commonwealth Games and Gay Games. The sixth one is Vietnam Relief Services, an organization to support poor communities in Vietnam. DS: Please tell us more about your involvement with Vietnam Relief Services, why you wanted to work with that organization? AL: Well, I'm Vietnamese so it’s close to my heart in terms of an organization that wants to help marginalized communities, particularly in North Vietnam to provide medical needs and education for kids. DS: You and I have been working together for a couple years, not only to tell your story and the work you're doing but also to help expand perspectives on Asian LGBTQIA+ athletes voices and stories. We collaborated on some things for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) and for Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We just posted one yesterday about the Asian cultural influence on Western sports. Can you tell me more about your perspective and experience on that front? AL: Looking at the history of Western sports, Asian sports have been a massive influence on the West. We’re the most populous community in the world and it's obvious that we would have huge amounts of influence when it comes to Western sports. But you know, we just don't have influence when it comes to representation. It's not just about seeing what sports we have in the East and think what we can add to the Olympics. It's also about how you involve Asian athletes in your sports, particularly in Western countries where we're the fastest growing community in all the Western countries.
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LEGENDS But we're just not seen in sports and that becomes a problem for LGBTQIA+ Asian athletes, because if you don't see Asian athletes in sports, you're not going to see any out Asian athletes in sports.
what that person will think of when they get to meet an LGBTQIA+, Asian or Black person.
DS: Are there any athletes who have been influential or inspirational for you?
AL: We often talk about our pain and trauma but we also must celebrate our triumphs and successes, especially during Pride Month. We must do that particularly for LGBTQIA+ people who are still struggling with their sexual orientation and gender identity. They need to hear and read about our positive stories on social media to give them hope.
AL: For a long time, I never saw Asian athletes or Asian LGBTQIA+ athletes. It's only in the last few years we have seen Asian athletes feeling more comfortable in their own skin and willing to come forward. So when I think of athlete activists, I must go to non-Asians. Billie Jean King is one, and Colin Kaepernick was a huge influence on me because he really brought sports back to the basics of human rights by taking the knee and acknowledging the power of sports. DS: We've witnessed the rise in anti-Asian racism that’s impacted not only the LGBTQIA+ community but the greater Asian community in the West. What’s your perspective and what action can we take against this?
DS: Since you are no longer doing bodybuilding, why did you want to pursue shooting as your next sport?
AL: To put it bluntly, I wanted to do a sport that wasn't physical. I had wanted to do rowing but I thought it would IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT COMPETING just take too much out of IN ASIAN SPORTS BUT ALSO me. I'd be competing against 18-year-olds and I just wanted ACKNOWLEDGING THAT ASIAN something completely different ATHLETES WANT TO BE PART that would stimulate my mind and get me into exercise. Also, OF YOUR TEAM. I THINK THE shooting is something that you SPORTS COMMUNITY HAS A can do when you’re older. I think I've always wanted to push the RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE ITS envelope and right now we have VOICE AS ALLYSHIP IN ACTION, no out shooters. My goal next year is to start competing on the ESPECIALLY FOR THE LGBTQIA+ U.S. circuit. My next goal would COMMUNITY. be to compete for Vietnam as part of the Vietnamese shooting team.
AL: You need to understand that anti-Asian sentiment has been going on long before the pandemic. There's always been this stereotype and disdain toward Asian people in sport. It's not just about competing in Asian sports but also acknowledging that Asian athletes want to be part of your team. I think the sports community has a responsibility to raise its voice as allyship in action, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community.
If you're Asian or Black and LGBTQIA+, the marginalization due to discrimination, hate and racism continually doubles. From football (soccer) players, we hear how disconcerting it is that you're one of the team walking onto a field with 80,000 people chanting racist slurs. What does it do to one's mental health when you can't walk away from it – however long the game goes is how long you must hear those slurs. The sports media play a very important role in terms of how it navigates Asian stories and LGBTQIA+ stories because for many, this is the first time they learn about an LGBTQIA+ person or an Asian person or a Black person on the field. If that language is negative or the storyline is continually feeding into a negative stereotype, then that's
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DS: What can allies do to help support the community?
DS: What's coming up next for you? AL: My ambassador roles. All the conversations that I have around sports equality leading up to the Olympic Games in Japan, and then next year's a huge year: Commonwealth Games, Beijing Olympics, Gay Games and World Cup. So I'll be doing a lot of work. And I think a silver lining of the pandemic is that everything's done through Zoom. I've been able to reach far more people by just doing all these interesting Zoom events and discussions around sports equality. I'm busier than ever and I'm doing a lot of exciting stuff for Pride Month. DS: I'd like to thank you for joining me today and I very much appreciate learning more about everything that's going on with you. AL: Thank you. It’s so wonderful to speak to Compete Sports Diversity again. Anyone can follow me on social media at @AmazinLêThi or amazinLêThi.com.
LAS VEGAS | PHOENIX | ATLANTIC CITY | ST. PETE
STONEWALL SPORTS
AIMS TO HONOR THE SPIRIT OF THE STONEWALL RIOT BY DIRK SMITH, SDLT (HE/HIM/HIS)
I recently caught up with Ben Canty, communications director for Stonewall Sports to learn more about the amazing work their organization is doing to help grow the LGBTQIA+ community through sports and exercise. Dirk Smith: So Ben, what exactly is Stonewall Sports? Ben Canty: Stonewall Sports is an LGBTQ & Ally nonprofit sports league that aims to build community and to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations. Since its creation in 2010, Stonewall Sports now boasts 23 city chapters across the U.S. that are all creating fun and inclusive sports leagues for their local LGBTQ communities. DS: Tell us about the origin of Stonewall Sports: how it began, who created, how it got its name and any other important information we ought to know..
BC: Stonewall Sports was founded in Washington, D.C. in 2010 by a group of community leaders led by Martin Espinoza. We began as a kickball league that included about 90 players from around the D.C. Metro area and it just took off from there. Through the years Stonewall Sports became an important space for LGBTQ players who were looking to build community and forge new friendships, all while engaging in fun sports. DS: Am I correct in assuming that the name “Stonewall” refers to the Stonewall Inn bar in New York City, the site of the 1969 riots that kicked off the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement? What was the inspiration in choosing this name and how does the mission of Stonewall Sports reflect that historical origin? BC: Yes, Stonewall Sports honors the Stonewall Riots of 1969. By understanding one of the most galvanizing moments in LGBTQ history, we acknowledge the history
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STONEWALL SPORTS of activism and recognize the leaders who paved the way for us. Our league embodies a spirit of community building that will always strive to create an inclusive space for our LGBTQ players. We play to remember Stonewall! DS: Stonewall Sports has expanded nationwide into different sports and leagues. Tell us more about the structure of the sports tournaments, Ben. Also share the kinds of things you offer.
DS: How can our readers get involved with a Stonewall Sports league? BC: It’s simple! Our website, www.stonewallsports. org has a list of all 23 chapters and their websites with contact information. We are also available via email at info@stonewallsports.org, on Facebook and Instagram @stonewallsports.
DS: What do you see the next five years bringing for BC: Since 2010 we have expanded into 23 cities (or Stonewall Sports? chapters as we refer to them) nationwide. In 2021 we will host our 7th Annual National Tournament and Summit BC: Our board will always stay committed to the in Richmond, Virginia. Each of our chapters, like our work to create fun, inclusive and welcoming sports National Board, operate as leagues for our community. As we a volunteer organization. continue to expand nationwide, "AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND we will largely build on our efforts NATIONWIDE, WE WILL LARGELY Most of our chapters offer a to uplift diversity, equity and BUILD ON OUR EFFORTS TO lot of the same staple sports inclusion to ensure our leagues and activities but they and leadership are representative UPLIFT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND vary from place to place. of the communities we serve, and INCLUSION TO ENSURE OUR In most any Stonewall that our programs are safe, fun LEAGUES AND LEADERSHIP Chapter you should be able and engaging – both on and off to find kickball, dodgeball, the fields and courts. Beyond that, ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE volleyball or bowling. In we may consider an international COMMUNITIES WE SERVE, AND total, we have about 15 or expansion. But at the end of the THAT OUR PROGRAMS ARE SAFE, so sports and activities that day, our mission has always been vary across the country. to create a space where everyone FUN AND ENGAGING – BOTH ON feels they can find community, play AND OFF THE FIELDS DS: How does the model fun sports and give back through AND COURTS." for expansion in Stonewall volunteer opportunities. Sports work exactly? DS: Ben, thanks so much for BC: Expansion with Stonewall Sports is a relatively sharing the story of Stonewall Sports with our readers. simple yet involved, process. Once we have been contacted Happy Pride 2021! by an individual or group with an interest to expand, we do our best to ensure the values and intent of the group match our values and mission as an organization. There is a series of interviews, followed by a bid proposal that is then presented to our board of directors for review and a vote to approve. While sustainability is very important, a commitment to our values, mission and vision are a must. DS: Does Stonewall Sports field teams for other LGBTQIA+ sporting events like the Sin City Classic or the Gay Games? BC: As an organization we encourage our players to attend all tournaments that they are interested in. We have had significant participation from our members and players at other events, including both the Sin City Classic and Gay Games! We love to see it!
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FROM COMPETENETWORK.COM
NUTRITION WITH INTENT BY DIRK SMITH, M.SC, SDL (HE/HIM/HIS)
Doctors Amy and Tom Czyz, thank you for joining us for this chat! We are excited to share with our readers your work with Intent Beverage and the LGBTQIA+ sports communities. Please share what Intent beverage is all about.
DA: Both of our brothers are gay, my brother Nic Yavelak is an Intent cofounder and many of our friends and family members are part of the LGBTQIA+ community which is why we actually did our flavor and label design sample testing at a Phoenix Pride festival. For us, the LGBTQIA+ community isn’t the afterthought, it is the thought! This is who we are – our friends, family and our daughter. Raising an LGBTQIA+ kid magnifies the importance of accepting and celebrating people and creating a community where we can all shine.
DS: Intent beverage sponsors several LGBTQIA+ sports Doctor Amy: Intent drinks keep you in sync with your events. What events are they and how did you get involved body, your Circadian Rhythm, giving your body what it with these organizations? needs, when it needs it, morning, afternoon and night. They help you rise with energy, clarity, have endurance DA: Sports for me growing up was the opportunity to and focus through the day, then rest and restore you at make lifelong friends and create a supportive safety net night. That’s why we have 3 formulations: Get Up. Stand around me. When Arizona tried to ban. When Arizona’s Up, in Lingonberry/Acai for morning; Break Free with bill to ban transgender athletes a Cucumber/Jasmine flavor; from participating aligned with and Night Shift in Vanilla their gender identity, testifying Chamomile. Smooth, subtle, as a proud and supportive parent refreshing drinks, they’re and connecting with sports designed to complement your LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups day, helping you activate and achieve your intentions. All are and journalists became a focus clean, certified organic, super and priority. That experience as refreshing, and combine healthy a mom, ally, sister and friend benefits of honey and planthighlighted how important it is INTENT DRINKS KEEP YOU IN SYNC based adaptogens to help ignite to get off the sidelines, align with our potential and fulfill the WITH YOUR BODY, YOUR CIRCADIAN people who share our values and greatest of our intentions. Each RHYTHM, GIVING YOUR BODY WHAT commitments to the LGBTQIA+ is beneficial on its own, but they community and act! IT NEEDS, WHEN IT NEEDS IT, are more powerful together. DS: How did Intent drinks come about? What was your inspiration?
MORNING, AFTERNOON AND NIGHT.
DA: Like many entrepreneurs, I had a problem and created a solution. As an eye doctor for over 20 years, I was focused more on my patients’ health than mine. I regularly ate at a fast-food burger joint and hate drinking plain water. When I decided to start a meal delivery service to keep me from impulse eating, a new healthy eating routine emerged. But I literally had a headache every night. I wouldn’t drink water without the color powder “cancer sticks” as my husband calls them and was dehydrated daily. From Pittsburgh, I'm a to the point kind of person. Fixing plain water wasn’t reason enough, so I set out to create healthy drinks with a purpose. My husband, Tom, and our brother, Nic began a collaborative journey to make a trio of refreshing organic drinks. The inspiration? We all share the same sunrise and sunset – no matter where we live, what we look like, what we believe, who we love; that rhythm is something we all share. That desire to ignite the incredible potential we have in each and every one of us, that fuels the engine of goodwill, that’s what drives Intent. DS: I hear you have a special connection with the LGBTQIA+ community.
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When your purpose and passion align, that positive energy attracts people who share that value and purpose. That’s how we met Trayer Martinez from Compete and many more friends and allies. Through efforts to engage with sports organizations committed to inclusion, equity, diversity and representation, we connected with and joined the Compete Sports Diversity Council (CSDC). This year Intent has sponsored the Pride USA Great State Classic, the Compete Sports Diversity Council Summit, Pride Bowl Chicago and we’re supporting Mike Shoreman, “the unbalanced paddle boarder” in “The Crossing” event to raise funds for mental health which is vitally important to our community. Intent is also working with the CSDC to support the Lynn Lewis Foundation Miami Tournament, Pride Run, ASANA and many more! Our commitment to support LGBTQIA+ athletes, organizations and events will continue to grow as we do because sports play such an incredible role in building inclusive communities and awesome friendships. Through sports, we can truly make a difference in our communities, and that’s what drives Intent. Please see complete interview on our blog at CompeteNetwork.com.
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EVENTS Compete is excited to bring back our sports calendar! We will be updating our calendar in each issue and online as tournaments and events are confirmed. For the latest updates check out competesportsdiversity.com.
Varsity Gay League Sports Tournament
Lynn Lewis Foundation Invitational
San Diego, California September 4-5, 2021 varsitygayleague.com
Miami, Florida October 15-17, 2021 lynnlewisfoundation.com
Stonewall Sports National Summit & Tournament
Sin City Classic Sports Festival
Richmond, Virginia September 17-19, 2021 stonewallsports.org
Las Vegas, Nevada January 13-16, 2022 www.sincityclassic.org
NGFFL Gay Bowl XXI
Compete Sports Diversity Conference
Tempe, Arizona September 30-October 3, 2021 ngffl.org
Las Vegas, Nevada January 13-15, 2022 competesportsdiversity.com
AFCSL Autumn Classic
Compete Sports Diversity Awards; The Petey Awards
San Diego, California October 8-10, 2021 autumnclassic.org
Las Vegas January 13, 2022 competesportsdiversity.com
Compete Sports Diversity held their annual Summit in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals from May 21-23 at State Farm Stadium. Special thanks to the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Mercury for their participation! > Next year's Summit will be hosted in Richmond, Virginia.
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FIT & FAB
TAKING THE EMOTION OUT OF FOOD BY MATT BOYLES, (HE/HIM/HIS)
Are you trapping yourself with how you describe/think about your daily behaviour with food? I have a really simple adjustment you might like to try, to help you have an easier relationship with what you’re eating. This is especially relevant now as the world is beginning to open up again, while we’re getting to enjoy restaurants and dinners with friends again. It is absolutely not your fault, but lots of people, when they’ve eaten what they believe to be more ‘healthy’ foods in a day, say they’ve had a ‘good’ day. Does that sound like you? And conversely, whether they say it out loud or not, it’s implicit that when they haven’t eaten like that, they’ve had a ‘bad’ day. (I’m putting lots of things in ‘inverted commas’ to indicate that I don’t believe these words are useful in these contexts). The problem with this is that it sets you up for a fall. Will you be able to have ‘good’ food days forever? No! There will be birthdays and parties and celebrations and all sorts of things that include food we don’t eat all the time. And I want you to eat it and enjoy it – it’s such a crucial part of life.
So if you don’t have a good day, then you’ve had a bad day and thus, you’ll feel bad about what you’ve eaten that day, how you’ve behaved. BUT! If you didn’t describe a day of food as ‘good’, then you wouldn’t describe eating other stuff as a ‘bad food day,' i.e., it takes the pressure off. There is no good food. There is no bad food. There is just food, which is delicious fuel. So I really want you to think differently about food. You might stick a bit closer to a calorie goal but that doesn’t mean you’ve been good. You might have just enjoyed lots of delicious food and drink over the recent holiday but that doesn’t mean you’ve been bad. Taking the emotion out of food will FREE you. So change the language you use – you haven’t been good or bad … you’ve just been human. Try it this week and see how it sets you free.
MATT BOYLES is a regular columnist for Compete and an online Personal Trainer who specializes in working with Gay, Bi and Trans males. In addition to the more regular fitness and nutrition components he has layered in elements to support mental health, boost confidence and provide bucketloads of empathy. Find out more about Matt's sensible and holistic approach to health and fitness: www.fitterconfidentyou.net/onlinetraining.
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INTENT – DRINKS THAT KEEP YOU IN SYNC Intent Beverages combine science and the ancient wisdom of nature’s Circadian Rhythm – the body's sleep/wake cycle that regulates metabolism, movement, energy & vitality. Refreshingly smooth & USDA-certified organic, the 3 beverages are made with honey and then use different ingredients based on the time of day each supports your body best. And they all taste amazing! • Energy | Antioxidant - Get Up. Stand Up. Lingonberry Acai. • Focus | Balance - Break Free. Cucumber Jasmine • Calm | Restore - Night Shift. Vanilla Chamomile Available in 6pk, 12pk & 24pk cases. A portion of proceeds supports Equity and Inclusion. haveintent.com PROGRESS PRIDE FLAG BY KANDICE In addition to traditional 6 rainbow colors in horizontal stripes widely recognized as a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender community, the Progress Pride flag adds 5 verticalshaped lines to include Black and Brown to represent people of color and pink, baby blue and white to represent trans individuals. Triangle shape of new colors meant to represent the urgency of progress still needed. Flag is 3x5 ft. of durable long-lasting polyester (heavy duty 100D) that never fades, double stitching on all edges, solid brass grommets in strong canvas header; for outdoor or indoor use. Flagpole not included. $10.99 amazon.com
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BEDROOM SPORTS
TAKING PRIDE IN MY SPEEDO BY RYAN O’CONNOR (HE/HIM/HIS), GUEST COLUMNIST
Here it is again, my favorite – Compete’s annual swimsuit issue. When I first started reading Compete I
identify as intersex, non-binary, agender, genderqueer, genderfluid and more.
was a twenty-something college sophomore ready to take
I love seeing more diversity in the media and in life.
on the world. And … I had the body to match! Things have
Finally it seems like more than ever people of all races,
changed a bit since those early days of Compete. Back
colors and sexes are being celebrated – something that
then I was bursting out of the closet—and my Speedo—to tell everyone I was out, proud and ready to, well, embrace my sexuality. Looking back, being young and having a nice body were pretty much the most important things to me. I never thought I would get older, at least not THIS old! Nor did I think I would trade in my Speedo for a pair of long board shorts. Now I sometimes even wear a T-shirt to the pool. But it is not just the style of the swimsuit I choose to wear that has changed. Life in the gay community has changed a lot, too. I now see more and more (and younger
enables people to be more authentic. And I think one of the most important aspects of Pride Month is for people to be able to just be themselves. Recently I was listening to a traditional podcast and the host welcomed everyone by saying “Welcome guys, gals and non-binary pals.” Like same sex marriage, that is something even I would never have thought would be encouraged and accepted during my lifetime. And it took a bunch of gay and straight people to move the dial far enough for that to happen – WOW! While I normally talk about dating, sex and relationships, in this issue I find myself also mentioning marriage – and while I don’t know if this is “same sex” or
and younger) people coming out. Even that sentence has
not, this issue coming out is the marriage of Compete’s
changed. I think ten years ago I would have said, “men
Pride Issue with their 15th Annual Swimsuit Issue.
coming out.” Gay doesn’t just mean men, and coming out
Honestly, I don’t think coming out will ever be the
happens not only to males but also to females, those who
same - LOL!
RYAN O’CONNOR is just a regular guy who is dating in this great big world. His advice comes from personal experience and his advice is for entertainment purposes only. We recommend you consult a physician, counselor or therapist in your area for specific advice about your personal situation. Otherwise, questions can be submitted to bedroom@competesportsdiversity.com
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