News
Joint Partnership with HCPSS
Season’s Greetings! We are honored to announce a new joint partnership with the Howard County Public School System. Together, we will support LGBTQIA+ students and their families with resources and services in sports and fitness. Let's encourage ALL kids to be active and feel seen!
We look forward to exploring future partnership events and collaborating with schools in Howard County towards creating more safe and supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth to engage in sports and fitness.
A big thank you to Danielle DuPuis at Hammond High School, whose voice in leading the HoCo Rainbow Conference continues to inspire us. And shout outs to Denise Kelehan at Mount Hebron High School and to Mary Schiller in the Partnerships Office, for their guidance and enthusiasm. If you are a parent, student or teacher and would like for us to make an appearance at your school in Howard County, please feel free to reach out to us! Our email address is info@unmatchedathlete.org and our social media is unmatchedathl.
Movement Gyms Partnership
We are so excited to finally share that Earth Treks climbing gyms are now one national community called Movement Gyms. Howdy @MovementGymsDMV on Instagram! It’s a new name for some, but we know it'll always be a community for all. And we have local LGBTQ DMV news to share!!! In the upcoming months, Unmatched will coordinate new LGBTQ+ YOUTH CLIMBING DAYS at Movement Gyms in Columbia, Hampden, Timonium and Rockville!
Climbing days will be divided into two age groups i.e. 5-12 and 13-18 on separate days. We are currently planning for the Climbing Days at the Columbia Movement location scheduled in March 2022. So keep an eye out for details soon regarding dates and time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@unmatchedathlete.org or social media handle
More Info Coming Soon!
Thanks to Dick's Sporting Goods and the EVOLVE Foundation
We thank Dick's and the EVOLVE Foundation for recognizing the need for more LGBTQ+ visibility in sports. Just as these two generous foundations firmly believe that sports provide the structure, foundation for discipline, and create hope for a better future—
We too believe that sports create a bridge— for LGBTQ+ youth to be ACTIVE, to be BRAVE, and to be THEMSELVES.
Sports & fitness should be accessible to all kids, no matter their identity, income, where they live or upbringing. We organize biweekly pickup games across the Baltimore-DC corridor. Let’s encourage more LGBTQ+ and allied youth to play together! To learn good technique, to make new friends, adapt healthy habits, have fun and push for that next goal; that’s what it means to be Unmatched!
Everyday is an opportunity to put in your best effort. Everyday you can improve. Let’s enlist the mindset to #LetKidsPlay!
Giving Tuesday
Please consider giving to Unmatched Athlete this #GivingTuesday to support our mission and our upcoming 2022 biweekly pickup game schedule.
This year has seen so many triumphs for LGBTQ+ rights, and yet there are so many hurdles to overcome in the sports. Unfortunately, there are still many negative examples of overcoming taboos, toxic masculinity, and thinking you're just not good enough, athletic enough or welcome to play in sports for LGBTQ+ people.
We believe that changing this narrative starts with creating a safe, supportive and fun environment for LGBTQ+ and allied youth. Let’s show them how to move, be active, and enjoy all the benefits participating in sports and fitness can offer. Your support will serve as a small step towards making your mission a reality.
Joint Partnership with GLSEN Maryland
We are excited to announce that we will be partnering with GLSEN Maryland! For those who aren’t familiar with GLSEN Maryland, they support students and educators locally, organizing around LGBTQ-affirming public policy, planning teacher trainings, and hosting events for students, educators, parents, and allies.
National Coming Out Day 2021 Stories
In tribute to National Coming Out Day, we had some amazing youth who were kind enough to share their coming out stories.
We thank Cami, Rose and Sam for sharing their stories! Also, we thank their parents for their support.
We would love to hear about your coming out story too! You do not have to be fond of sports and/or fitness to share. Everyone is welcome to share their story regardless of of age. You can do so by e-mailing us or on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).
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