Anna Aagenes, Executive Director of GO!
Athletes, which is the first national educational organization dedicated
to LGBTQ student athletes talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of
OUTTAKE VOICES™. GO! (Generation Out) Athletes connects
current and former LGBT student athletes and allies at high school,
collegiate and post-graduate levels to educate and empower future
generations of LGBT athletes. They also serve as a united voice to
encourage schools to create safer spaces for LGBT athletes. GO! Athletes
i...
Anna Aagenes, Executive Director of GO!
Athletes, which is the first national educational organization dedicated
to LGBTQ student athletes talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of
OUTTAKE VOICES™. GO! (Generation Out) Athletes connects
current and former LGBT student athletes and allies at high school,
collegiate and post-graduate levels to educate and empower future
generations of LGBT athletes. They also serve as a united voice to
encourage schools to create safer spaces for LGBT athletes. GO! Athletes
is also dedicated to educating coaches, administrators and fans to
foster athletic communities that are accepting of all athletes
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. GO! Athletes has
created the #Out4Olympics campaign in response to the public outcry over
Russia's anti-LGBT policies. We talked to Aagenes about the importance
of this campaign and her spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked what her spin is on the Sochi Olympics with Russia’s anti gay
laws Aagenes stated, “You know it’s been very disheartening to see the
stories of brutal harassment attacks and the laws that are obviously
really discriminatory against the LGBT community and those who have
traveled there for the Olympic Games. We began a campaign last year
which we call Out 4 Olympics. So we hash tag Out the number Four and
Olympics. (#Out4Olympics) We’ve done grassroots campaigns before but
this is really LGBTQ athletes supporting fellow athletes. You know some
of us have the privilege of being able to come out and those who do we
hope can show support and solidarity to those in Russia, those traveling
to Russia and those who can’t come out yet or don’t feel comfortable
coming out yet. It’s really been exciting to see high school students,
college students, coaches, even professional players some of them,
utilizing the campaign. We have a Twitim which means you can change you
profile picture on Twitter and Facebook and what we’re going to do with
that is compile that into a culmination at the end of the games.”
Anna Aagenes was captain of the University of Pennsylvania Women’s Track
and Field and Cross Country Team, a school record holder in three relay
events and an NCAA Regional qualifier in the 800m and 1500m. Currently
she is the District Office Director for openly gay Pennsylvania State
Representative Brian Sims. February 28th will conclude GO! Athletes
#Out4Olympics campaign and all photos will be compiled into a book to be
presented to the USOC and the IOC.
For More Info: goathletes.org
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