Poly Prep hosts founder of nonprofit promoting acceptance of athletes of all sexual orientations
Poly Prep’s Middle and Upper Schools welcomed Hudson Taylor, founder of Athlete Ally, to their Tuesday morning chapels on Jan. 13. During his presentation to assembled faculty and students, Taylor invited Poly student athletes to sign the Athlete Ally promise: “I pledge to lead my athletic community to respect and welcome all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field.”
Athlete Ally is a nonprofit organization that “provides public awareness campaigns, educational programming and tools and resources to foster inclusive sports communities…”
In another initiative, Taylor visits schools and speaks to students in grades K-8, high school and college “to educate and empower the next generation of athletes to fight homophobia and transphobia in sports.”
Mike Muska (Poly Prep’s Dean of College Relations) introduced Taylor at Upper School Chapel.
Muska, a high-school track star and college coach, spoke from personal experience about “making it safe for [LGBT] athletes to come out.”