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From the Desk of:
You Can Play

The Roots & History of Homophobia in Sports
Homophobia in sports may seem like a modern issue, especially as athletes and organizations today make strides toward inclusivity....
Ren Dawe
Jan 295 min read
123 views
0 comments

How Homophobia Hurts Us All: The Broader Impact on Sports Teams and Culture
At You Can Play , our commitment to fostering inclusive spaces in sports is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: sports are for...
Ren Dawe
Jan 235 min read
14 views
0 comments

Understanding Homophobia in Sports: Recognizing and Addressing Subtle and Overt Discrimination
At You Can Play , we believe in creating safe, inclusive environments in sports where everyone is welcomed and respected, regardless of...
Ren Dawe
Jan 74 min read
77 views
0 comments

Asking Respectful Questions to LGBTQ+ People
Curiosity is natural, and asking questions is one of the best ways to learn and connect with others. However, when it comes to engaging...
Ren Dawe
Dec 5, 20242 min read
14 views
0 comments

Why Pride Games Matter
Why Pride Games Matter: Celebrating Inclusion and Advancing Equality in Sports Sports bring people together, transcending differences to...
Ren Dawe
Dec 5, 20243 min read
11 views
0 comments

Our Fight Has Just Begun
In the wake of a divisive election in the US, harmful legislation in Alberta being introduced, and several companies publicly pulling...
Kurt Weaver
Nov 27, 20243 min read
34 views
0 comments

Ambassador Spotlight: Meghan Petruk
We love connecting with our Ambassadors! This week, we're highlighting Meghan Petruk, a softball player and coach! What is your sport?...
Ren Dawe
Nov 22, 20241 min read
15 views
0 comments


Responding to Homophobia Online: A Guide to Building Inclusive Communities
In the age of social media, conversations around inclusion and pride in sports often attract homophobic comments. These interactions can...
Ren Dawe
Nov 20, 20243 min read
4 views
0 comments

How To Guide for De-Escalating Homophobia
In any sports setting, safety and inclusion should be the cornerstone of fan experiences. Yet, homophobia still persists in subtle and...
Ren Dawe
Nov 20, 20242 min read
42 views
0 comments

Exploring the Journey of Trans sport participants in Sport: Participate in Groundbreaking Research
In the world of sports, the experiences of transgender and nonbinary sports participants are often misunderstood or overlooked. Now, a...
Ren Dawe
Oct 31, 20242 min read
150 views
1 comment

Allyship in the Group Chat
At You Can Play, we believe that every athlete, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves the right to compete and...
Ren Dawe
Sep 24, 20241 min read
20 views
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Happy Allyship Week from You Can Play
Allyship Week with You Can Play is here, and we’re spotlighting the importance of creating inclusive, supportive spaces in sports for...
Ren Dawe
Sep 24, 20242 min read
1 view
0 comments

Ambassador Spotlight: Marci Goldberg
We love connecting with our Ambassadors! This week, we're highlighting Marci Goldberg, a Triathlete! What is your sport? Triathlon! Swim...
Ren Dawe
Sep 17, 20242 min read
66 views
0 comments

Ambassador Spotlight: David Smith
We love connecting with our Ambassadors! This week, we're highlighting David Smith, a sports psychologist! What is your sport? Swimming,...
Ren Dawe
Sep 1, 20243 min read
7 views
0 comments

Lessons Learned from the 2024 Olympics & Paralympics: Embracing Inclusion Wins!
We hope you loved the Olympics as much as we did, and followed the stories and athletes that made us dream just a little bigger through...
Ren Dawe
Aug 15, 20243 min read
20 views
0 comments


Embracing Diversity: The Business Case for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Soccer
Kurt Weaver In the dynamic world of sports, where passion and fervor ignite communities worldwide, soccer stands tall as a global...
Kurt Weaver
Aug 10, 20243 min read
7 views
0 comments

Do Trans Athletes have an Unfair Competitive Advantage?
The question of whether transgender athletes have an unfair advantage in sports because of hormones is complex, highly debated, and...
Ren Dawe
Jul 30, 20242 min read
25 views
0 comments

Trans Athletes + The Olympics
Transgender athletes have been allowed to compete in the Olympics since 2004. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced...
Ren Dawe
Jul 23, 20241 min read
7 views
0 comments

Trans Athletes + Title IX
What is the relationship between Trans Athletes and Title IX? The relation of transgender athletes to Title IX—a landmark U.S. federal...
Ren Dawe
Jul 17, 20242 min read
17 views
0 comments

Ambassador Spotlight: Kao Lawrie
We love connecting with our Ambassadors! This week, we're highlighting Kao Lawrie, a non-binary hockey player and LGBTQ+ advocate! What...
Ren Dawe
Jul 16, 20242 min read
137 views
1 comment
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