Chicago Cubs’ Post

In this issue of No Notes! you'll read about UCLA Gymnastics, financial challenges in the LGBTQ+ community, Part 1 of a five-part series about What To Do During a Recession or Market Pullback, and the financial benefits of decluttering. Let me know if you want a copy!

What a great idea and concept.

ICYMI: The LGBTQ Community Fund recently celebrated 10 years of giving. Watch this short video to learn more about the fund's history.

I am sure many of us have followed the Olympics coverage for the last few weeks. I was keeping track of this while on holiday. Of course, the sports competition was amazing. Still, as always there was controversy from the drag queens at the opening ceremony to Imane Khelif's gender identity, and backlash around LGBTQ+ representation in sports. So it was great to return and listen to our recent podcast with Alan Lang who was the co-chair of the Gay Games to talk about this topic. To listen check out the link below. My key takeaways are: 👉 LGBTQ+ athletes face very unique challenges in professional sports, including discrimination, stigmatisation and barriers to entry starting from a young age and continuing through their carriers 👉Major events such as the Olympics can support and showcase LGBTQ+ talent by providing a highly visible platform to change people's perceptions, hearts and minds. 👉 Competitive sports by its very nature can be inherently unfair and the debate on trans inclusion is often oversimplified. It ignores systemic issues like unequal access to resources and training. It also ignores that women, including cis women, come in all shapes and sizes, and winning at the elite level often comes down to having advantageous characteristics. 👉 Finally, should sports be more about participation or are we all focussing on excellence which ultimately can limit access and is exclusive? Growing up in Australia where sports are revered I do understand how not being great at this can feel very exclusionary. All food for thought, so take a listen and see what you think, I certainly found it thought-provoking.

Men's football has an LGBTQ+ problem. Too many people are excluded from enjoying it. But we can solve it. And here's the first step. This week, on Out and Out Football, we're launching a survey for LGBTQ+ people to share their experiences on football. The first step in working out how to solve a problem is properly understanding the problem. By taking part in the short survey, you'll be playing a fundamental part in changing football. So to any LGBTQ+ people in my network – whether you're into football or not – will you have your say by taking part in the survey now? https://lnkd.in/exwBDpUE

Let's dive into GLAAD's Inclusion in Video Games report 'The State of LGBTQ Inclusion in Video Games' 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ We unpack the good, the not so good and next steps following this research 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e5SP65r8

I had a look at some of the key findings from the GLAAD 'The State of LGBTQ Inclusion in Video Games' report for Out Making Games. While the research is US-based, there is a lot of relevance for the industry here in the UK. You can also check out the full report at https://lnkd.in/eMsZ_PwD #videogameindustry #inclusion #lgbtq

As the Olympics approach and the world gathers to watch athletes represent their countries, we reflect on how many LGBTQ+ athletes face additional challenges. While the USWNT is full of soccer players who are out, not all sports have been accepting of individuals' identities. Last week, Campbell Harrison became the first out LGBTQ sport climber to qualify for the Olympics. He finished what should have been a joyful victory and kissed his partner, only to be bombarded with homophobic slurs. While 70% of Americans support marriage equality, including nearly half of Republicans (Citation: Human Rights Campaign), Harrison faced extreme backlash and commentary. This is compounded by the banning of transgender athletes such as CeCé Telfer and Lia Thomas from competing in their gender identity categories. USA Track and Field, World Athletics, and World Aquatics have created trans-exclusionary policies. Even if athletes overcome the policies designed to keep them from competition, personal hurdles and online harassment make it difficult to focus and compete. If the spirit of the Olympics is to “build a better world through sport,” how do we expect to do so if we are excluding people from that vision? #LGBTQ #Olympics #Pride #Inclusion #DEI

GLAAD  's first annual gaming report confirms what we already know, it's time to level up QUEER gaming experiences. Despite 17% of gamers identifying as LGBTQ, only 2% of games on the market contain #LGBTQIA content. Back us on #kickstarter and help us craft inclusive gaming experiences:

🌈 Pride Round 2024 🌈 Hockey ACT 2024 Pride Ambassador. Please join us in welcoming our CEO - Rob Sheekey Hockey ACT Ambassadors publicly display their support for people of diverse sexualities, sex, or gender identities, and are an integral part in making Hockey ACT a safe and welcoming environment free of harassment or discrimination. The Role of an Ally/Ambassador: - Contribute to improving education and awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. - Provide a comfortable and confidential environment for people to discuss matters related to sexual diversity and sex or gender identity. - Work on expanding their understanding of LGBTIQA+ communities and the nature and impact of discrimination experienced by LGBTIQA+ people. - Role models and shows leadership by publicly supporting sexual, sex and gender diversity within the community. - Contribute to stamping out prejudice-related harassment. (*Allies are not expected to be experts or to take on a counselling role but have access to resources to refer to appropriate services.) #HockeyACT #PrideRound