The Power of Change

What an amazing holiday season and exciting new year! The Compete team is recovering from our annual trek to Las Vegas for the 13th Compete Sports Diversity Conference and Awards. This year we highlighted organizations such as the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO), the Las Vegas Aces, the University of Nevada Las Vegas and individuals like Beau Bradley, Tanya Jackson and Ernie Jaramillo. You can see a complete list of honorees in this issue.

And just like the seasons, Compete is also changing. When we started in 2006, Compete was the first and only LGBTQ+ sports magazine in print. We will still be publishing Compete Magazine, but we will be publishing quarterly with special editions throughout the year (see our special Pride Run Phoenix Issue in March).

Beginning with this issue, our schedule will be Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall issues. Our special issues will be focused on sport and travel events, including the Compete Sports Diversity Playbook, a directory of Compete Sports Diversity Council members. Connie tells you more about the Compete Sports Diversity Council in this issue, too.

Compete Magazine will focus more on our mission. Compete connects, educates, empowers and inspires mission-driven LGBTQ+ and allied sports and community leaders, sports organizations, non-profit groups, tourism partners, corporate partners and athletes to further sports diversity together through our membership, media and event platforms.

Although you may not immediately see a difference, we hope you do. We will continue to publish Compete Magazine as it grows and changes. While always supporting our mission, the magazine ultimately supports our vision of Uniting the World Through Sports and our ever-growing event platforms and membership.

I am starting to embrace change. Spring must be coming. •

Eric Carlyle, SDLT, CEO • HE | HIM CEO | DEI ADVOCATE eric@competenetwork.com