What does inclusivity in sports mean to you?
It means a lot. Obviously it can't just be imagined that there's inclusivity, you have to show it, it has to have a face. People have to know that it's a safe space, an inclusive space, not just believe that it is. So we can hold each other accountable and you guys can hold us accountable when it doesn't feel that way for people.
What was your first impression of the inclusive culture of C38 when you joined compared to now?
I feel like it's actually gotten better over the years. Ten years ago, it seemed to just be a bunch of dudes who like soccer. And I think we've actually worked hard as a group to broaden that scope-- it's not just a small group of guys who like soccer it is entire families, it's women, it's everybody in between. So it's always been important to us. It's nice to have kind of a family vibe, we're all friends. We all get together well, volunteer or anything. That's what C38 is, a bunch of volunteers. They've always had the Oar Foundation, which is our 50(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable arm and making sure that mostly children's groups and sports groups, specifically those in marginalized communities are getting support through people like us. So it's not just us waving rainbow flags in June. It's us actually putting our money where our mouth is.
In the next five years, what is your hope for the queer community and how we're all able to support through everyday things like sports?
I hope it's not just June. There's absolutely no reason not to be flying rainbow flags all year round, there's no reason to pick and choose. Obviously, this time of year is when we celebrate it...But I think it needs to happen all the time. It doesn't need to just come and go when June comes and goes or. And that's for any marginalized group, not just the LGBTQ+ community, but we need to be openly supportive of all of our people, all the time, so they don't get forgotten about the rest of the year.Animals aren't saving themselves, the queer community shouldn't have to save themselves. They're not the only people in the world who need help, so it should just be second nature. If you have the time to give or the money to give you're supporting the people in marginalized communities.
