And we're back.

After a long... ok a very long delay, we're back.

And we're back for a specific reason. A couple of nights ago I was lucky enough to attend the 2011 PFLAG "Straight for Equality" Gala, which is an event honoring straight allies for supporting GLBT people. Not with sweeping political movement, but through "tiny everyday changes - like not omitting the fact that your best friend is gay when you’re telling grandma about him - (to) raise awareness and challenge assumptions and stereotypes."

And it was an amazing event.

We were there with Authentic Community Member Rosie Perez, who was receiving the "Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award" and she gave an amazing, rousing, hilarious, and... well... profanity-laced speech.

But that's not the reason why we're back with the posting. Because, as much as I love Rosie Perez (and boy do I love Rosie Perez), I was totally floored and humbled and inspired by another honoree that night. That honoree was a young man named Hudson Taylor. A champion college wrestler-turned-coach, Hudson received the "Straight for Equality in Sports Award," and recently founded the non-profit Athlete Ally, a "sports resource encouraging all individuals involved in sports to respect every member of their communities, regardless of perceived or actual sexual-orientation or gender identity or expression, and to lead others in doing the same. Athlete Ally provides social advocacy campaigns, on-campus trainings, and practical tools, including resources to locate and learn about allied athletes, coaches, teams, athletic clubs and sports-based advocacy projects around the country."

Hudson Taylor, champion, #winning

Hudson (who's totally straight an engaged by the way, though that should be obvious given the award's called "Straight for Equality") wrestled as a varsity athlete in an environment where some really nasty slurs are tossed around without a second thought. He took a look around, said "Well that's stupid" and slapped the Human Rights Campaign's "=" sticker on his headgear. And he accepted the ridicule and resentment that went along with it.

Because it was the right thing to do.

He's awesome, and you should go check out his organization.

http://www.athleteally.com/