The USTA is strengthening its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion through new and expanded partnerships

The USTA is creating new and expanded partnerships with three leading LGBTQ+ organizations in its commitment to make tennis more diverse and inclusive: The Trevor Project, You Can Play and Athlete Ally.

These partners join the various other LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations with which the USTA works closely to amplify its commitment to making tennis, including the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA), The Pride Chamber of Commerce, and Pride Live. Additionally, the USTA has joined a coalition of professional sports leagues that have supported Pride Live’s development of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the first LGBTQ+ visitor center within the National Park Service, which opens to the public on June 28.

“Tennis is truly a sport that is open to all, and we are proud to work hand-in-hand with these mission-driven organizations to increase representation and engagement among LGBTQ+ staff, volunteers, and players of all levels,” USTA Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Marisa Grimes said. “We are grateful to all of our strategic partners as they continue to support us in connecting with the diverse communities we’re trying to engage through tennis.”

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, while Athlete Ally and You Can Play are organzations that work to end homophobia and transphobia in sports to ensure LGBTQ+ athletes have positive and inclusive sports experiences.

The USTA’s new partnerships with The Trevor Project and You Can Play will focus primarily on education, through adult allyship and peer role-modeling; the Trevor Project’s CARE (Connect, Accept, Respond, Empower) training, which focuses on having proactive conversations about mental health and identifying the warning signs of suicide risk; and developing a USTA Pride Playbook to support USTA events, leading a series of inclusive workplace sessions for USTA staff and volunteers, providing guidance on how best to amplify LGBTQ+ storytelling through different media channels, and advising on policies and practices related to engaging LGBTQ+ employees.