GO! Athletes Launches New Website

"We are in a critical time for the LGBTQA sports movement," says Executive Director Anna Aagenes

GO! Athletes is the first national network of LGBT, questioning and allied high school, college and former student-athletes in the country. To help connect these student-athletes of all ages, and to create safer spaces for LGBT athletes to come out, the organization has launched a new website.

Anna Aagenes (photo by Jeff Fusco)

“This relaunch and changing our name from Our Group to Generation Out (GO!) Athletes symbolize that we are in a critical time for the LGBTQA sports movement,” says Philly-based Anna Aagenes, the organization’s executive director. “Now, more than ever, athletes, coaches, staff and fans are ready to be out or to be supportive allies. Athletics needs to be a safe space where we educate allies and empower young people to respect one another.”

Joanna Lohman (courtesy of KLHPhotography)

To celebrate the launch and name change, there’s a special event next month at the University of Pennsylvania. On Oct. 11 (7 p.m.), professional soccer star Joanna Lohman of D.C. United (and one of G Philly’s original “New Who’s Who”) will be meeting fans and fellow athletes at the Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall.

“The purpose of the event is to raise awareness on the subject of homophobia and discrimination in sports and also to provide opportunities for the scholar athlete community to come together to hear stories by out sports role models,” says Aagenes. “We will also be announcing surprise guests attending the event in the upcoming weeks.”

For more information about the organization or even, visit the new website. Or share your own coming out story by clicking here.