Aired Sep 30, 2021
The First Active Pro Baseball Player to Come Out
Looking for ways to keep the conversation going about LGBTQ+ issues with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter? Welcome to Something to Talk About, a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we’ll offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion.Â
We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, September 30. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!
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Article: ‘It’s about damn time for this:’ Bryan Ruby becomes only active pro baseball player to be out as gayÂ
Source: Â USA TodayÂ
Author: Scott GleesonÂ
Questions for Discussion:
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The article cites athletes such as Carl Nassib and Luke Prokop as other examples of out athletes. Meanwhile, this year’s Olympics featured more openly LGBTQ+ competitors than ever before. Do you believe that there’s a connection between athletes coming out and disclosing about their identities and building inclusion? Why or why not, and can you provide examples?
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While there are more examples of out players and a greater number of open allies on the field, there are still challenges to believing that people can be both out and successful. What are some of the challenges that athletes still face? Are there specific ways for allies to be of greater service in shifting culture for queer athletes?
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Bryan’s story is one of someone who has successfully come out in sports. Can you give examples of where you have seen progress in sports at any level? Are there other things that you think teams, coaches, and leadership should do?
Ways to Watch:
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