Panel discussions were held on how best to promote an inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ athletesVIKINGS
Representatives from more than 60 organizations, including 14 NFL teams, "assembled at the Vikings facility in Eagan" on Thursday for the "first LGBTQ summit held by an NFL team," according to Chris Hine of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Approximately 150 people "gathered in the auditorium of the TCO Performance Center to hear panel discussions on how best to promote an inclusive atmosphere" for LGBTQ athletes. The Vikings "organized the summit in part to fulfill a settlement reached" with former P Chris Kluwe, an "outspoken ally of LGBTQ people who threatened to sue the team" in '14 after special teams coordinator Mike Priefer used anti-gay language. Kluwe said, "If even four or five of those teams go back and do something with it, that's four or five more teams than we had in the entirety of the NFL." Officials from the NFL and NCAA "shared ways their organizations are trying to promote atmospheres of inclusion." Representatives from the Wild, WNBA Lynx, T'Wolves and Univ. of Minnesota were also "in attendance" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/22).
PRIDE OF BALTIMORE: In Baltimore, Katherine Fominykh noted the Orioles' LGBT Pride Night "will be held Wednesday, when the club hosts" the Mariners. The night "intends to cap off Pride Month in Baltimore, with LGBT guests and rainbow Orioles gear in the team store." The Orioles will "participate in another Pride Night" tonight in Atlanta (BALTIMORESUN.com, 6/21).
