Athletics & Recreation

University to host roundtable of gay athletes

The University of Denver will host a panel discussion about issues surrounding gay and lesbian athletes Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Driscoll Student Center. 

The forum — moderated by Patrick Burke, a scout for the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers — aims to create an educational conversation between openly gay athletes and students, players and coaches.

A panel of players from GForce — a multinational team of gay hockey players based in Denver — and athletes from other sports will share their experiences as gay athletes and the issues they faced. A question-and-answer session will follow the panel discussion.

“Gay men and lesbians have been part of every sports team since sports began,” says GForce Team Captain and President Glenn Witman. “And yet they are marginalized, thought of as weak or ineffective. Let’s face it: we’re here and we contribute. If we’re allowed to be ourselves — out gay men and lesbian women — on our teams without the fear of oppression or retaliation, we’ll contribute so much more.”

Panelists include Andrew Goldstein, former All-American goalie of the Dartmouth College lacrosse team; David Farber, former captain of the University of Pennsylvania hockey team; and Brandy Ranshaw, former U.S. Ski Team member and women’s pro circuit qualifier.

The forum is co-sponsored by the University of Denver Undergrad Student Government, DU Gender & Women’s Studies, DU Athletics & Recreation and the Center for Multicultural Excellence.

More information, including a 7-minute documentary video on the team, can be viewed at www.gforcehockey.com.

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