G-Force seeks mentors for Athlete Buddy program

Athlete Buddy System Seeks Gay and Lesbian Athletes as Mentors
Hot Line Offers Help for Athletes Struggling with their Sexuality

DENVER (June 16, 2011) — The Athlete Buddy System, a program of GForce Sports, is putting out a call for gay and lesbian athletes and coaches who are willing to use their diverse experiences to help others. GForce and the ABS Program (pronounced “abz” like the muscle group) are looking for athletes who have played a sport, either individual or team, on a competitive level. Experience at the high school, college or pro level is expected; athletes who have experience in a “tour school” system—like tennis or golf—or within a farm or development system like junior hockey may also apply. Coaches that fit these categories are also welcome.

“The Athlete Buddy System offers a lifeline to athletes who are battling sexual identity issues,” says Michael Smith, director of the program. “Athletes must balance training, competition, school, work and a host of other issues. Imagine having to worry about who you are, what you say and whether you’ll be able to play the sport you love if you’re discovered. The ABS Program reaches out to those athletes.”

Given that gay people number between 5–8% in the general population, a hockey team of 22 players likely has one gay player; a football team of 53 players could have as many as 3–5. These players face anti-gay discourse and the constant fear of exposure with the resulting potential for bullying, loss of playing time or expulsion from teams. Uneasiness in their surrounding, detachment from their peers, depression, substance abuse and thoughts of suicide can be the by-products.

G-Force adds lacrosse to its roster of teams: seeks players for new team

A message from G-Force:

DENVER – GForce Sports has announced the formation of an elite gay lacrosse team as part of the group’s effort to showcase quality gay athletes. GForce Sports has operated a nationally recognized gay hockey team for more than seven years, playing in hockey tournaments around the US and Canada and hosting the annual Friendship Cup in Aspen. The Cup pits GForce against some of Colorado’s best hockey players with GForce leading the yearly series 4-3.

"GForce Hockey has shown that gay athletes compete with the best,” said GForce Sports president Glenn Witman. "Our members come from all over North America to compete and the wins speak for themselves. We’ve found incredible enthusiasm from gay lacrosse players for starting an all-gay team and we’re excited to make lacrosse the next showcase for good-natured competition between a great gay team and straight players," he said.

Former SUNY-Oneonta team captain Andrew McIntosh will lead GForce’s team and is recruiting players. McIntosh says he already has half the team’s roster filled. "Lacrosse has such wide appeal across the United States and Canada that we’re getting fantastic interest from potential players," McIntosh said. "People are going to be surprised at the depth of the team and the quality of competition once everyone is together."

McIntosh said the team will likely begin playing during this fall’s tournament season. Potential players can contact him at www.GForceSports.org.

GForce Sports is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equality in sports regardless of sexual orientation. In addition to friendly competition between gay and straight teams, GForce provides speakers from a number of sports through its “Invisible Athlete” forums and one-on-one mentoring of athletes working through issues of sexuality with its Athlete Buddy System. For more information, visit www.GForceSports.org.