The Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit is currently in Baltimore as part of our national effort to find solutions for more children to access quality sports opportunities. Baltimore was home to our first community State of Play report in 2017 that assessed the barriers and opportunities Baltimore uniquely faces. In the years since, local organizations and leaders have taken significant steps in Baltimore to improve sports access for children.

How Baltimore is improving sports access for children, by Jon Solomon: “Sports opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth and allies created”:

Olanrele Oni grew up loving to play soccer, but never felt he could truly be himself in sports because he is gay. In 2020, as the Black Trans Lives Matter movement grew across the nation, Oni created Unmatched Athlete and started with clinics in climbing, obstacle courses, flag football, Ultimate frisbee, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. The goal is to eventually create leagues and tournaments and hire a coach to teach sports fundamentals.

The events are nongendered, meaning every child plays together. To date, 177 children ages 5-18 have registered or participated in Unmatched Athlete’s events in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Montgomery, Howard and Prince George’s counties. More than half of the children (51%) identify as female, with 35% identifying as male and 14% as transgender or nonbinary. Nationally, research shows LGBTQ+ youth play sports at far lower rates than their peers.

“Regardless of how you identify, sports are for everyone,” Oni said.

Olanrele Oni watched from afar as the Black Trans Lives Matter movement swept the nation in 2020. He spoke to his husband, Justin Fair, about wanting to do something, anything, to counter the lack of empathy in the world.

Sports seemed like the proper solution. “To me, sports is one of those things that can change culture. I truly believe that,” Oni said.

Additionally, the O’s turned their attention to how LGBTQ kids relate to sports. While noting that “1 in 10 LGBTQ+ youth have been discouraged from playing school sports due to their sexual orientation or gender identity,” the Orioles also emphasized how important sports are to our community.

“One in three LGBTQ+ youth are interested in sports,” the team posted, “Unmatched Athlete is a Maryland-based non-profit that encourages youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies to participate in sports and fitness.”

Olanrele Oni admits that even though he grew up playing soccer, he was never the best athlete — “A for effort,” he likes to say.

But when he was younger, Oni, who said he always knew he was queer, once suspected his teammates were refusing to pass him the ball on the field because of his sexuality.

“I felt as a little gay kid, I felt self conscious. Is it the way I’m running? Is it the way I’m speaking? Is that playing a role?” Oni said. “You start creating these narratives in your head that may not exist.”

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Montgomery County Recreation Department and Unmatched Athlete will partner for a day of outdoor games and sports on Friday, June 24 at 12-4:30 p.m. at White Oak Recreation Center. No matter your athletic ability, there will be something fun for everybody! Following Pride on the Field, come hang out at White Oak Rec Center’s new LGBTQ+ Safe Zone from 7-10 p.m. Register for Pride on the Field.