Esera Tuaolo at NAGAAA conference

WHEN Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 6 – 7pm
WHERE Crowne Plaza Hotel
3 Appletree Square
Bloomington, MN


Some of the nation’s leading experts on LGBT sports will join NAGAAA representatives in an exciting conversation about the future of LGBT athletics. Topics will include the continuing problem of homophobia and transphobia in amateur and professional sports, the experience of NAGAAA and other LGBT leagues in creating community-focused spaces for competition, and the best ways to create fun, welcoming, and inclusive LGBT leagues that invite participation from all parts of the community. Key points of discussion will include ways to maintain a sense of community within LGBT leagues while recognizing that the LGBT community includes a diverse array of experiences that players bring to the field. Please join us for what should be a fascinating discussion about the Gay Softball World Series, the LGBT community, and sports.

Esera Tuaolo interview in Windy City Times

Esera Tuaolo with Grinnell College football players
after a speaking engagement

Ross Forman of the Windy City Times interviews Esera Tuaolo about his arrest on domestic violence charges:

Ultimately, everything was dropped and dismissed—Esera Tuaolo was found not guilty.
However, the impact of just the domestic-violence charge against the openly gay former National Football League (NFL) player has had an impact as large as Tuaolo's 6'4", 290-lb. frame, turning the past two years into "an absolute nightmare," he said recently in an exclusive interview.

Two summers ago, Tuaolo was arrested in Minnesota, charged with three misdemeanors and given a domestic abuse-related no-contact order with the victim. Tuaolo was released on $2,000 bail after his arrest.

"What happened was that I got into an argument/fight with my boyfriend at the time," Tuaolo said. "Things escalated and we got into a fight for personal reasons."

Keep reading HERE.

24 June 2012 / Esera Tuaolo performing at this weekend's Twin City Pride

The Saloon Pride Block Party

R&B singer Mýa, who's been pretty low-key since her 2001 cover of "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim and Pink for the "Moulin Rouge!" soundtrack, headlines the Saloon's block party with singer Crystal Waters, best known for her 1994 dance hit "100% Pure Love." Other acts include Simon Curtis, Pop Rocks and DJ David B, gay ex-NFL player Esera Tuaolo and drag queen Camille Collins. (4:30 p.m.-3 a.m. Sun. 6/24. $15-$20. 18-plus. The Saloon.)

Esera Tuaolo on how coming out lifted a burden

Esera Tuaolo on how coming out lifted a burden

Esera on the responsibility of LGBT people to those who might come out

Billy Bean on how to make truth a tool for realizing ones potential

A look back at Gay Games VII "Sports Equality Day" workshops

Chicago 2006 Gay Games Announces “Sports Equality Day” – 14 July 2006

CHICAGO, IL –

Chicago, IL - Chicago Games, Inc (CGI), the host organization of Gay Games VII, the Federation of Gay Games (FGG), and the Gay and Lesbian Athletic Foundation (GLAF) announced today a partnership to organize a series of workshops and educational seminars on issues of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people in sports. The workshops will be held in conjunction with the 2006 Gay Games that takes place in Chicago from 15-22 July.

With an overall title "Sports Equality Day," the workshops will focus primarily on aspects of sports for younger and collegiate LGBT athletes, and the state of the LGBT sports movement in areas of the world with relatively large potential for development.

"GLAF is honored to be selected as a preferred partner organization of the FGG and the upcoming Chicago Gay Games 2006,” said O. Mac Chinsomboon, Executive Director of GLAF. “From our inception, the FGG has supported GLAF in our mission to create equality on the playing field. The FGG has been a sponsor of past GLAF forums, where intellectual discussion, debate and education have provided valuable networking opportunities among athletes in Olympic, professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, and high school athletics communities."

In 2003 and 2004, GLAF organized two very successful conferences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology about the issues of gays and lesbians in sports, and FGG officials said working with GLAF representatives again for 2006 will advance these issues further.

"This kind of partnership between a Gay Games host and another organization like GLAF is precisely what the FGG advocates in our position paper ‘The Image of the Gay Games’ that we published in 2003," said Roberto Mantaci, co-president of the FGG. "There are a lot of existing groups like GLAF that can play a valuable role in the success of the Gay Games and this is an effective way for them to do so in Chicago."

"With thousands of LGBT athletes as well as other individuals interested in the LGBT sports movement converging in Chicago during the week of the Gay Games, CGI is pleased to provide the opportunity for such a forum," said Suzi Arnold, co-chair of CGI. "We will also add new features to the Gay Games VII on-line registration system to include registration for the workshops."

CGI is in close partnership with several area universities offering logistical support through use of their facilities and assistance tapping into the many local youth and collegiate LGBT programs. These universities are expected to play a key support role for the "Sports Equality Day" workshops.

"The Gay Games started the LGBT sports movement, which is now a topic of research of many scholars working in the fields of sociology, philosophy and other human sciences," said Philippe Liotard, associate professor at the University of Lyon, France. Mr. Liotard is one of several researchers and academicians who will participate on the steering committee for the workshops. He said, "I look forward to being in Chicago during the week of the Gay Games to deepen my research and have the opportunity to meet with other colleagues to discuss our work in similar areas."

---

Program

GLAF/FGG/Chicago has established a Chicago GLAF Steering Committee that has been designated to organize a series of workshops and educational seminars on issues of gays, lesbians, bisexual and trangender people in sports, to be held in conjunction with the 2006 Gay Games that takes place in Chicago from 15-22 July. These educational seminars and workshops will take place on a day dubbed “Sports Equality Day”, Friday, July 14 2006, a day prior to opening ceremonies.

The seminars will focus primarily on aspects of sports for younger and collegiate LGBT athletes and the state of the LGBT sports movement in areas of the world with relatively large potential for development.

“GLAF is honored to be selected as a preferred partner organization of the FGG and upcoming Chicago Gay Games 2006”, said O. Mac Chinsomboon, Executive Director of GLAF. “From our inception, the FGG has supported GLAF on our mission to create equality on the playing field, and as a sponsor of GLAF forums for intellectual discussion, debate, education, and networking among athletes in Olympic, professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, and high school athletics communities.”

PROGRAMMING

10:30am Registration

10:45am - 12 noon
Youth sports: Not what your parents were thinking of, or is it?

Panelists: Bridget White, Head Volleyball Coach, Kean University, Dave Lohse, Associate Athletic Communications Director, University of North Carolina

This workshop will explore today's meaning of "Sport" and "LGBT Sport." Ever since the founding of the Gay Games, there are now several generations of participants at the games. There exist many leagues that have traditionally been defined as gay but also have a growing number of non-gay players. These are friends of the LGBT people, friends of friends, athletes that like to compete in a non-discriminating environment free of any bias, and just people looking for good old-fashioned competition. At the high school and collegiate levels, the needs of our youth are different, though there are still many challenges. Are the needs of the today's young athletes the same as those for that have been involved with the initial movement? This panel will discuss the new reality as it exists for all of us in sport. We'll explore several generations including high school, Collegiate, Olympic, professional, and recreational sport genres.

We'll also touch upon questions such as: Does sport build character? As a young athlete that's LGBT, how do I compete? How can a youth sport coach become a true mentor? How can my son and daughter get the most out of their sport experience? Can sport be created in a manner that promotes positive youth development? What about human resources for professional sports leagues -- do they handle it at all? Come network and share ideas with the leading sport psychology and youth development experts in the world. Whether you're a parent, student, sport psychologist, educator, coach, researcher, community leader, or youth development specialist, you will find plenty of valuable information, while enjoying interactive presentations.


12:30pm-1pm
Keynote/Q&A with Esera Tuaolo

Born of Samoan descent in Hawaii, Tuaolo was quick, 280-pound (127-kilo) defensive tackle, playing for nine years in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. He played in the Super Bowl in 1998. He retired from the NFL in 1999 and came out in late 2002, bcoming a prominent spokesperson for numerous LGBT causes. In 2003 he spoke to nearly 200 NFL employees in New York on the topic of being a gay man in sports. Esera was the first player to perform the national anthem at a nationally televised football game, and he released a CD, First Christmas, in 2004. He is a Gay Games ambassador and he will sing at the Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field.

1pm-1:30pm
Keynote/QA with Leigh-Ann Nadoo

Naidoo is the first member of the Gay Games Ambassador program from Africa. She lives in Cape Town, South Africa, after a short time living in Chicago with her partner. In 2004 she was a member of the first African team to compete in beach volleyball at the Olympic Games. Her father, Derrick, was president of South Africa's first non-racial volleyball organization. Before beach volleyball, she competed in athletics (javelin, shot put and discus), tennis, soccer and softball.

1:45pm- 3:00pm
Where in the World is Sport?


In many places around the world, the LGBT movement (perceived or otherwise) is light years ahead of other countries. There's pro-LGBT in many western European countries and in the United States, yet often times there's still a backlash in very specific communities in these countries. Is the United States as progressive as many think? What about other parts of the world like Africa or South America, and elsewhere? Is the LGBT sports movement in outreach countries just "some years behind"? Can LGBT sport movement in these countries just look at the example of North American and European groups? Or is it the context so different that adjustments in the strategy of development of LGBT sports are necessary? How can we best foster the development of LGBT sport in this countries? Money or knowledge and expertise? And if money, is the allocation of scholarships to individuals to help them participate in a Gay Games (or other event) the best way to help? Or should this money be rather donated to local groups to realize local projects?

3:15pm-4:30pm
It Takes A Team! Educational Campaign for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Sport
Lindsey Cardin, Women in Sports Foundation

The Women's Sports Foundation is committed to creating an athletic climate that is respectful and safe for all people and eliminating barriers to all girls being active and healthy. It Takes A Team! is an education project focused on eliminating homophobia as a barrier to all women and men participating in sport. Lindsey Cardin is the Project Coordinator at the Women's Sports Foundation. She will go through a training session discussing topics such as teammates dating, negative recruiting, LGBT athletes and coaches in the locker room, and sexual harassment.

Grinnell College football blog reports on Esera Tuaolo talk

From the blog of the Grinnell College football team:

On Thursday [12 April 2012] Esera Tuaolo was on campus doing a number of speeches, talks and sessions with people all across campus. If you don't know Esera's story, he's the most-prominent, and only 3rd, openly gay current or former NFL player. His experiences in the uber-jock environment provided plenty of ridicule and difficult times and he's sharing those stories. His message revolves around eliminating hatred and disrespect of all types, from generic bullying to the homophobia that can be so prominent within male athletics.

(photos Alysia Horcher, Grinnell class of 2015)

Esera Tuaolo reports on his talk at Grinnell College

As we posted HERE, Gay Games Ambassador spoke at Grinnell College on 12 April. Here's his very enthusiastic report on the event:

ALOHA!!!
I must say to all my peeps that in my 9 years of motivational/educational speaking, Grinnell College is one of my favorites, if not my favorite. I'm not taking anything away from the other 80-plus schools that I spoken at, but I really enjoyed my time at Grinnell College. From the faculty, to the students, to the beauty of the campus, it was absolutely amazing. The school's culture of equality regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. was what impressed me the most. You don't find that in many schools around the country and Grinnell students should be immensely proud of it. I am happy I got to experience for a day what Grinnell students experience for years.

What really impressed me the most was that the athletic department took the time to meet with me one-on-one to discuss some possible ways to make a difference with their student athletes. In my nine years of speaking only five schools have done that. During that meeting one question stood out: "What can we as coaches and faculty do to eliminate HATE?" My answer was simple: not be afraid to talk about homophobia or be afraid of the word "gay"!!!!!! . They need to make sure that athletes and students know that using words like "gay", "fag", "queer", "dyke", or "homo" in a negative connotation will not be tolerated in the locker room or in any other plac over which coaches/faculty have control. Hate in any form is just wrong! 

Thanks to the people at Grinnell who made it possible for me to come, and thanks to the 300+ amazing students that made my presentation a success.

12 April 2012 / Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo to speak at Grinnell College

Esera Tuaolo will be speaking on "Creating a World of Tolerance" on Thursday, Apr 12, 8:00 p.m. Harris Center Cinema at Grinnell College.

Esera Tuaolo is a former NFL player whose career spanned nine years with the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Tuaolo made national headlines when he came out to the world as gay in 2002 on HBO's "Real Sports". He is one of only three players in the history of the NFL to come out as gay. Please join the SRC, QPOC, PDC, the Offices of Diversity & Inclusion, SGA and the Department of Athletics as Esera tells his story and inspires unity in the Grinnell College community.

LZ Granderson on the progress made by the NFL

LZ Granderson writes in his ESPN column on the progress made by the NFL in the field of homophobia:

It's been about 10 years since former NFL lineman Esera Tuaolo told HBO's "Real Sports" that he was gay. A lot has changed in the game since then.

Back then Tuaolo, who played in Super Bowl XXXIII, said he stayed in hiding for fear he could lose his career. Today, the owners of both the New York Giants and New England Patriots have publicly come out in support of marriage equality.
[+] EnlargeDavid Kopay, Esera Tuaolo
Gregg DeGuire/WireImageDavid Kopay, left was the first former NFL player to come out. Esera Tuaolo was the third.

Back then one-time teammate Sterling Sharpe, in reaction to Tuaolo's news, said an openly gay player wouldn't make it to his next game. Today, Section 1 of the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement reads: "No Discrimination: There will be no discrimination in any form against any player by the Management Council, any Club or by the NFLPA [NFL Players Association] because of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or activity or lack of activity on behalf of the NFLPA."

Over the years I have used my space on this website to chastise the sports world for dragging its collective feet when it comes to the topic of gays and lesbians in sports. But just as I have criticized boldly in the past, I also need to boldly applaud the progress made, particularly in the NFL.

Shortly after the lockout was lifted and the CBA ratified, NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said: "We certainly believe, speaking for the Players Association, that we have a tremendous social and cultural impact. We definitely understand the effect that we have on society and culture, and we feel we have a responsibility to have very high standards. With something like discrimination of any kind, we just want to make sure we are a symbol for good."

10 December 2011 / Esera Tuaolo's annual holiday charity show in Minneapolis

A message from Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo:

I hope to see you all Dececember 10 for my 5th Annual Holiday Show benefiting St. Jude's Children Hospital. What I enjoy about my holiday show is the fact that it's a gift for my charity of choice because they are not budgeting for this event. Hope all of you will come support and help me raise money for a great cause. To purchase ticket please go to WWW.ESERATUAOLO.NET.

And if you are not from the Twin Cities or won't be here that weekend, there is a link on my website that goes directly to St. Jude's donation page.

Doors open at 6pm for silent auction.
Show starts at 8:30pm

Mahalo an I Love you all!
ESERA TUAOLO

Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo speaks at University of New Hampshire on "coming out day"

From The New Hampshire, a student newspaper at the University of New Hampshire:

Student-athletes are everywhere on the UNH campus, but rarely are professional football players found in the MUB. As a part of UNH's Coming Out Week, former NFL player Esera Tuaolo spoke to students Wednesday night about becoming one of the first professional football players to come out as gay.

UNH centers its Coming Out Week around National Coming Out Day, which is always October 11. Alliance, one of the organizations responsible for these events, is a "support group for LGBTQ+," said Kelsey Myers, chair of Alliance.
Wednesday night's event, Being True to Yourself with NFL Veteran Esera Tuaolo, was "a collaboration of a lot of different groups on campus," Myers said. Coming Out Week is held for "exposure to the group [Alliance] and to the issues [of the LGBTQ+ community]," said Nathan Laperle, Alliance program coordinator. Tuaolo addressed some of these issues in his talk.

Although Tuaolo was a defensive lineman who played professional football for nine years and played in a Super Bowl, he is happier now in retirement than he was playing football.
"I love what I do [now] because I get to go around the country and inform [people] about the LGBT community," he said.

Throughout his career, Tuaolo kept his sexuality a secret, never telling a teammate in high school, college or the NFL. It wasn't until two years after he retired that he first said he was gay, in an HBO Sports interview in 2002. Tuaolo said he retired because he no longer wanted to keep this secret and he wanted to be happy. When Tuaolo came out as gay, he said it was like a huge burden was lifted. "I felt light as a feather," he said. Keeping his sexuality a secret hurt Tuaolo mentally and emotionally until he finally spoke the truth. He said that the HBO special "was probably the best thing [he] ever did in [his] life … otherwise [he] would be six feet under."

Tuaolo shared how the jokes and taunts about being gay can upset people, including himself. "Sticks and stones may break bones, but words will never hurt me. That's full of s**t … words kill," he said, in reference to depression and suicides in the gay community. He urged students and people of this generation to make a change to these types of behavior and thoughts. "Please step up and do what you can," he said.

Tuaolo's presence on campus has already had a positive impact on some students. He said that he had been contacted by about 15 UNH student-athletes who are in the closet. They are happy he is here. Tuaolo's visit and speech promoted Alliance's goals, which are to promote a safer campus and to raise awareness, according to A.J. Jeffries, the vice chair of Alliance.

Keep reading HERE.

Gay Games Ambassadors participating in NOH8 campaign

Billy Bean

Greg Louganis

Esera Tuaolo

On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest.

Nearly two and a half years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 13,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.

The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, and has appeared in various local and national news programs and publications. The images are widely used on various social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the message of equality. Eventually the images will be compiled for a large-scale media campaign.

Esera Tuaolo on ESPN's "Outside the Lines"

Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo was a guest on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on the occasion of sportswriter Steve Buckley's coming out and the Lisa Howe story. The issue of the day was the difference in attitude to homosexuality in sports and in society as a whole.

We can't link to the particular video, but you can find it on the OTL page HERE.

David Kopay, John Amaechi, Billy Bean, Esera Tuaolo at HRC and It Takes a Team 2007 sports panel

A panel of openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender athletes — including Gay Games Ambassadors David Kopay, John Amaechi, Billy Bean, Esera Tuaolo — took a stand in Atlanta with It Takes A Team! and HRC during the NCAA Men's Final Four basketball tournament, raising awareness about GLBT equality in the sports world.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Video from LA Clippers LGBT night, featuring Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo

NBC on The Advocate: Clippers Host LGBT Night
- Watch more Sports Videos at Vodpod.

Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo sang the national anthem at the recent Clippers LGBT night in Los Angeles.

Gay Games Ambassador to sing US national anthem at NBA basketball game

Tuaolo singing at FGG 25th Anniversary Dinner in 2007 (photo Rick Gerharter)

Outsports reports that Gay Games Ambassador Esera Tuaolo will be singing the national anthem at the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team's LGBT night next Wednesday (tickets still available).

They add that: "Esera was the first NFL player to sing the Star-Spangled Banner before a game he played in; He’s also sung it at the Pro Bowl and for various NFL and NBA teams. Esera will also be at the pre-game reception at the City View terrace at Staples Center, along with the NOH8 campaign."