Pro-LGBT Athlete Ally issues statements on NFL draft prospect Michael Sam

Athlete Ally board members respond to University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam's coming out:

“Michael has shown great courage in taking this step and not only do we support him, we are incredibly grateful. His decision to welcome us all into his world as he embarks upon a professional NFL career is an honorable one. This moment will resonate in a unique and important way for countless people, particularly LGBT youth,” said Super Bowl champion and human rights activist Brendon Ayanbadejo, who is a member of the Athlete Ally Board of Directors.

Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally said: “With Michael Sam’s brave step, he emboldens LGBT athletes and straight allies everywhere. We are in the midst of incredible transformation in American professional sports. In a very short period of time, athletics has gone from being known as ‘the last closet in America’ to being in a position to lead on this issue. This is the power of sports.”






Sam was named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and expected to be a top draft pick for the NFL this May.

Hudson Taylor & Andre Banks talk "Principle 6" with MSNBC's Thomas Roberts

LGBT organizations All Out and Athlete Ally have partnered with American Apparel in the creation of Principle 6, a new line of merchandise that aims to use the Olympic committee's very own charter language as a way for consumers to stand in solidarity with gay Russians, athletes, and visitors during the upcoming Sochi Games.

Principle 6 is a way for athletes, spectators, and global supporters to celebrate the Olympic principle of non-discrimination and call for an end to Russia’s anti-gay laws before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Hudson Taylor of Athlete Ally and Andre Banks of All Out joined MSNBC's Thomas Roberts to talk about the partnership and goals of the campaign.

NFL Players Association announces gay pride t-shirts

The NFL Players Association has launched a line of gay pride shirts on their website.

All proceeds from the shirts will go to Athlete Ally, the anti-homophobia in sports organization founded by Hudson Taylor.

Via press release:

“I am extremely proud to be a part of this collaboration between Athlete Ally and the NFLPA’s One Team Shop to raise awareness both of Pride Month and the issue of tolerance and respect within the NFL itself,” said Chris Kluwe, punter for the Oakland Raiders. “As players, we are role models to a wide variety of people, and this is a great way to send a message of empathy to those who love and watch the game. Also, I'm pretty stoked that people can buy something with my number on it.”

“June is a special month for the LGBT community,” said Super Bowl Champion Brendon Ayanbadejo. “I am extremely excited that the NFLPA’s One Team Shop is adding its name to the list of ever-growing allies. The simple fact that football players believe in equality for every human being is going to make an impact on a lot of peoples’ lives.” Steve Gleason, a former NFL Player supporting this effort said, “It’s pretty simple for me, I believe all people are created equal, regardless of their sexuality. To promote respect and acceptance is an important role for NFL players and the NFLPA.”

The One Team Pride Shirts include the option to add the jersey number of the following players: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Connor Barwin, Scott Fujita, Steve Gleason, Chris Gocong, Chris Kluwe, Donte' Stallworth, Terrell Suggs and Eric Winston.

Now, you KNOW I'm totally getting the Chris Kluwe shirt.

Head over to One Team Shop by clicking here to take a look.  Then BUY something :)

Tweet of the day: Hudson Taylor

10 straight people LGBT people can be proud of

Ben Cohen, world class rugby player and anti-bullying activist

Since June is gay pride month, the folks at Buzzfeed made a list of a few straight people that have done things for the LBGT community that we can all feel good about.

How do you like the list? Who would you add?

1. Ben Cohen, rubgy player/activist
2. Lisa Lampanelli, comedian
3. Hudson Taylor, wrestler and coach
4. & 5. Theodore Olson and David Boies, lawyers
6. Benjamin Todd Jealous, president of the NAACP
7. Zach Wahls, student
8. Josh Hutcherson, actor
9. Barack Obama, president
10. Dick Cheney, former vice president

Ketel One Walk of Change at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards

Hudson Taylor

While attending the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, celebrities and supporters stopped by the Ketel One Vodka “Walk of Change” to make their mark and for every handprint left, Ketel One donated $1000 to GLAAD.

Participants included Hudson Taylor, Trevor Donovan, Wendie Malick, Chaz Bono, GLEE's Max Adler and many more.

Just a few notes from the evening:

• Dancing with the Stars alumnus,Chaz Bono, attended the GLAAD Media Awards to graciously accept the Stephen F. Kolzak award. Surprise guest, Cher arrived right before the award and was beaming with pride as she presented her son with the notable honor.

• Always popular, Betty White was greeted with a roaring applause from the event’s audience. The Hot in Cleveland star, who arrived fashionably late, dined with her cast members, Wendy Malik and Jane Leeves, and toasted to their GLAAD Media Award.

• Hunger Games star, Josh Hutcherson, accepted the Van Guard Award at the Los Angeles GLAAD Media Awards. The young actor, who was greeted with a bear hug from Benecio Del Toro, came to support the LGBT community and noted that the cause was close to his heart.

• Glee stars Max Adler and Grant Gustin showed there support for the LGBT community and gave back to GLAAD leaving their handprints in the Ketel One Walk of Change.

• Not surprisingly dressed in their best, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kyle Richards and Lisa Vanderpump, arrived in full-length gowns to strut their stuff on the red carpet. To many attendees’ disappointment, Jiggy was not in attendance.

Check out the pics below, plus more here.

Trevor Donovan

Wendie Malick

Chaz Bono

Max Adler

Col. Victor Fehrenbach

Hudson Taylor Continuing Effort To Battle Bullying

MSNBC's Thomas Roberts talks with Hudson Taylor, Founder & Executive Director of Athlete Ally.

ATHLETE ALLY™ was created by Hudson Taylor as a resource to encourage athletes, coaches, parents, fans and other members of the sports community to respect all individuals involved in sports, regardless of perceived or actual sexual-orientation or gender identity or expression.

An Athlete Ally is any person – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – who takes a stand against homophobia and transphobia in sports and brings the message of respect, inclusion and equality to their athletic community. Athlete Allies include competitive and recreational athletes as well as coaches, parents, teachers, league officials, sports fans, other sports participants and advocates.


"I'm on a mission to unite people; to bring people together for respect for everyone."
- Hudson Taylor