Get Ready for UPenn’s Pride Games

LGBT sports are the focus of this weekend's events

Courtesy of UPenn

Being out in the sports world still poses some challenges. But this weekend (March 25) the LGBT community’s athletic talents are being celebrated during the University of Pennsylvania’s fifth annual Pride Games. The games kick off at Hill Field (34th and Walnut) at 11 a.m.

“The games are intended to be a fun way for college students to spread awareness about the challenges that the LGBT community faces in the athletic world,” says Nevin Caple, of FreedomSounds, an organization that focuses on LGBT initiatives in sports.

This year, the games are co-hosted by two groups on Penn’s campus: PATH (Penn Athletes and Allies Tackling Homophobia) and Freedom Sounds’ “br{ache the silence,” a group that seeks to empower LGBT student-athletes, coaches and administrators in intercollegiate athletics. The group also develops anti-bullying programs in schools.

As many as 27 teams and more than 220 students have already registered to compete in the Pride events, says Caple. The teams represent a number of different organizations on Penn’s campus – from athletic teams and fraternities to LGBT community groups.

During the event, participants will be expected to complete a series of different challenges, including a water balloon toss, a “drag” race, and an eating contest. Caple, the founder of br{ache the silence, and Sarah Martinez-Helfman, the executive director of the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership, will also be delivering speeches at the event.