CHANGES: The LGBTQ Experience in Sports Schedule

The Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media, and Society (AISMS) will host a two-day symposium that explores the implications of sexual orientation and gender identity in sports. The symposium will bring together athletes, activists, coaches, scholars, journalists, athletic support staff, and corporate executives to examine the evolving relationship between the LGBTQ community and sports culture.  In addition to the symposium’s focus on LGBTQ experiences in sports culture, the panels will also address the role that LGBTQ members play in larger discussions of sports and social justice. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on all sessions, visit aisms.uscannenberg.org.

The symposium is sponsored by the USC Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media & Society, under the direction of Clinical Professor Daniel Durbin, Ph.D. Partners include adidas, the USC LGBT Resource Center, and the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center. The conference is co-directed by Annenberg Lecturer and AISMS Research Fellow Evan Brody, Ph.D. and Adam Amel Rogers of the Norman Lear Center.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9th

LGBTQ SPORTS: The Next Generation
Nov. 9, 8:30 - 9:50 am in ANN L101

The next generation of LGBTQ athletes and coaches join long-time LGBTQ sports advocate Pat Griffin to discuss what the future looks like for LGBTQ sports culture. 

Pat Griffin, LGBT Sports Advocate
Terrence Clemens, College Basketball Player
Julie Shaw, La Verne Basketball Coach
Haley Videckis &  Layana White, former Pepperdine Basketball Players

Research on LGBTQ Sports
Nov. 9, 10:00 am - 11:50 am in ANN 106

Academics and Activists will present research on the LGBTQ Experience in Sports.  Topics range from media representation to community engagement and inclusions strategies. This session will be moderated by Annenberg Doctoral Candidate Courtney Cox and it will be immediately followed by an interview with out professional skateboarder Vanessa Torres. 

Evan Brody, Ph.D., Lecturer, The Annenberg School for Communication
Leigh Moscowitz, Ph.D., Associate Professor, The University of Southern Carolina
Barb Besharat, The 519 Community Centre Toronto
Jenn McClearen, Doctoral Candidate, The University of Washington
Moderated by Courtney Cox, Doctoral Candidate, The Annenberg School for Communication

Out in Skateboarding: A Conversation With Vanessa Torres
Nov. 9, 10:00 am - 11:50 am in ANN 106

Immediately following the LGBTQ Sports research panel global skateboarding sensation Vanessa Torres will discuss being gay in the skate world in an interview with Annenberg Lecturer Neftalie Williams.

Vanessa Torres, Professional Skateboarder
Interviewed by Neftalie Williams, USC Annenberg Lecturer

LGBTQ Sports Professionals
Nov. 9, Noon - 1:50 pm in ANN L101 (Lunch Provided)

OutSports founders Cyd Zeigler and Jim Buzinski, and PR professional Howard Bragman, discuss the past, present, and future of LGBTQ Media Professionals in Sports Culture.  They are joined by MLB Umpire Dale Scott and former NFL Player Esera Tuaolo to discuss being gay in American Professional Sports. Moderated by Annenberg Lecturer Evan Brody. 

Cyd Zeigler, OutSports.com
Jim Buzinski, OutSports.com
Dale Scott, Umpire, Major League Baseball
Howard Bragman, Fifteen Minutes 
Esera Tuaolo, former NFL player
Moderated by Evan Brody, USC Lecturer

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10th

Fight On: LGBTQ Sports At USC
Nov. 10, 12:00 - 1:50 pm in ASC 207 (Lunch Provided)

Student athletes, coaches, athletics staff, and administrators discuss what it is like to be “out in sports” at USC in 2016. 

Nohelani Lawrence, USC Athletics
Lypheng Kim, USC Dragon Boat Rowing
Donna Heinel, Senior Associate Athletic Director, USC Athletics

The Marriage of Mainstream Media, Industry and LGBTQ Sports 
Nov. 10, 2:00 - 3:20 pm in ASC G26

Reporters from ESPN, PBS and The New York Times address the role media plays in the LGBTQ Sports Intersection.  Additionally, representatives from adidas and Aon will discuss the role of corporations to support LGBTQ athletes.

John Branch, The New York Times
Israel Gutierrez, ESPN
Christina Kahrl, ESPN
Tom Chiodo, PBS
Zion Armstrong, adidas
Moderated by Adam Amel Rogers

Sports, Social Justice, and the LGBTQ Community
Nov. 10, 6:00 - 8:00 pm in ANN L105a (Reception to follow)

Athletes continue to be front and center in contemporary debates about social justice. This session explores both how LGBTQ athletes are connected to larger social justice movements and how sports leagues are using their power and reach to further LGBTQ equality.

Layshia Clarendon, WNBA
Israel Gutierrez, ESPN
Christina Kahrl, ESPN
Wade Davis, former NFL player and You Can Play Executive Director
Moderated by Evan Brody, Ph.D. and Adam Amel Rogers