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Kentucky activist see NFL pro-LGBTQ video as a positive – Spectrum News 1

News Editor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Football League released a new video this week on its official Twitter account expressing its support for LGBTQ+ players, coaches and fans.

What You Need To Know

  • The NFL produced a video saying ‘Football is gay’

  • The clip is 30 seconds in length, expressing support of LGBTQ community

  • The league encouraged people to donate to The Trevor Project

  • A Kentucky activist is voicing his support for the league’s decision

Mike Slaton, executive director for Louisville Pride Foundation said the move was huge.

“That sort of visibility, that sort of show of support, it’s difficult to put into words how meaningful that is,” Slaton said.

In a 30 second video clip posted to the NFL’s Twitter account, the league is supporting people in the LGBTQ+ community proclaiming “football is gay.”

“Its not rocket science. The NFL is just saying the NFL supports gay people, the NFL supports trans people, it supports the LGBTQ+ community. That’s a huge message, it’s a simple message, but it’s important,” Slaton said.

The 40-year-old who is also gay is married to his husband Jake. Following NFL player Carl Nassib coming out as gay, Slaton said representation in pro sports is important. 

“It’s your neighbor, it’s your coworker, it’s the person at the bank, its your favorite football player. People shouldn’t be stereotyping, they shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions about what somebody is or is not,” Slaton said.

The NFL’s video clip also replaced the word gay with other statements such as lesbian, beautiful, queer, transgender — ending with “football is for everyone.”

“It was very simple. I think we sometimes think things need to be more complicated. I think they had a really effective message in a very simple way of coming out to support the LGBTQ+ community,” Slaton said.

Slaton said the NFL is not well known for being an LGBTQ-inclusive league, but advocates are hoping this moves the ball forward.

“It’s not like a lot of people are going to do a 180 degrees in their political beliefs based on one video from the NFL, but it plants a seed,” Slaton said.

The clip concluded with showing support for The Trevor Project, a nonprofit helping to prevent suicides among youth in the LGBTQ+ community.

“One person just saying, ‘Hey it’s okay, if you’re gay, if your LGBTQ you can talk to me, that’s okay.’ That can save lives,” Slaton explained.

As pride month came to a close, Slaton hoped positive responses like this one are embraced and replicated.

“Is the video enough? Well yes and no. It’s the right thing at the right time and it needs to be not the end,” said Slaton.

The National Football League announced they are donating $100,000 to The Trevor Project.