LGBTQ Athletes - a Module of the Coaches as Partners Project
This virtual huddle explores the landscape of life as an LGBTQ athlete and ways we can ensure all athletes are treated with respect. LGBTQ youth experience increased rates of physical violence, harassment, and sexual violence, and we want to partner with coaches to think about ways that the sports community can act as a positive agent of change in our communities.
Many studies show that coaching staff often are the adults spending the most time with young athletes, which means that their athletes are very often looking to their coaches as models of behavior and for advice on some of life's toughest challenges. As they engage with their athletes about on the field and off the field issues, coaches have the unique opportunity to model pro-social behavior including being an active and aware member in your community taking a stand against violence.
Because we know it takes an entire community to take a stand against violence, this training is open to all in the sports community, and folks are provided with helpful steps in getting the coaches in their lives involved in this work this coming year!
Participants will receive a free downloadable copy of The Playbook- a resource guide designed specifically to support coaches in understanding and modeling ways of taking a stand against violence. If you desire hard copies of The Playbook for your team or athletic department, please let us know in the evaluation form.
Who We Are:
The Sexual Violence Prevention Collaborative of Fairfield County (SVPC) consists of five local nonprofits working together to eliminate sexual violence across Fairfield County. The SVPC’s inaugural project, Coaches as Partners, works to engage coaches and athletic directors in the prevention of sexual violence. The goal of Coaches as Partners is to bring awareness and education about the critical role athletic leaders play in promoting an inclusive and respectful sports culture.
The SVPC is funded by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls. Participating organizations include The Center for Family Justice, The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education, Triangle Community Center, Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, and YWCA Greenwich.
Katelyn believes in the radical possibilities of community, connection, self-reflection, and joy to build a world where violence is not a common experience for any community.
CFJ provides expert prevention education and training in our communities to create social change. Our goal is to break the cycle of violence by building healthy relationships, empowering communities, and mobilizing bystanders to speak out about abuse and violence.