GO! Athletes sent a phenomenal group of board members, All-Star advisors and members of our collegiate network to Portland for the 2013 LGBT Sports Summit from June 14 - 16.  Here's what some of our attendees have to share about their experiences:

Anna Aagenes, Executive Director of GO! Athletes

"I feel incredibly blessed and overwhelmed by the passion, courage and commitment on display at the 2013 Nike LGBT Sports Summit last week. We still have more work to do, but I'm confident in the team players who are tirelessly working to addressing what our LGBT sports equality movement can do better. The fellow GO! board members and I want to extend our most sincere thanks and appreciation to all the GO! Collegiate Network participants, All-Star Advisory members, and Nike event organizers who helped bring more youth voices to this year's Summit. We know it's #GoTime and a time to #betrue."

Wade Davis, GO! Athletes All-Star Advisory Board

"The LGBT Nike Coalition has left an indelible mark on me, and I was so inspired by the young heroes and sheroes at the coalition who both understand the power of their voices and stories, and who are also working to look outside themselves to understand the lived experiences of others so they can advocate for themselves and others.  That's community building.  That's inclusion.  GO! Athletes Rocks!!!" 

Sean Smith, GO! Athletes Board of Directors

"The summit had so many moments that you had to just pause to really appreciate.  The rooms were full of some amazing conversations with great people.  The most impactful of the experience for me was to see the drive and determination of the young student-athletes. They are so passionate to create an inclusive sports culture and to end anti-LGBT bias & discrimination in sports.  While even the existence of the summit is a huge step forward, there is still work to be done and GO! Athletes is ready to be a large contributor." 

Jay Hayes, GO! Athletes Board of Directors

"For someone who has been on sports teams most of their life, the Nike LGBT Sports Summit this past weekend in Portland made sense. It was a team of dedicated individuals working together in an effective, friendly, and supportive manner to accomplish the larger goal - ending homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in all levels of athletics."

Becca Lindquist, GO! Athletes Board of Directors

"It's inspiring to see so many people and groups coming together for this cause.  We have a long to-do list in front of us, but I believe that GO! is the organization to get things done."

Kye Allums, GO! Athletes Board of Directors

"I was very pleased to see more Trans athletes at the summit this year!"

Rose Pitkin, Swarthmore College - GO! Collegiate Network Member

"My favorite part of the summit was having the opportunity to learn from so many people who have different experiences and having the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions that I have wanted to be part of but have never had the chance to. I was so moved by how selfless everyone's involvement is, it seemed as though everyone I spoke with was involved for reasons that went far beyond their own experience. I am looking forward to educating my communities but also becoming a better ally so we can better work towards our goal together."

Katie Chockley, Yale University - GO! Collegiate Network Member

"My favorite part of the summit was the chance to meet other LGBT college athletes and build a community. It can be very lonely to be an out LGBT athlete, particularly if you are the only one on your team, and the chance to meet so many amazing, inspirational athletes with their own experiences of being LGBT and an athlete was invaluable."

Craig Cassey, Jr., Georgetown University - GO! Collegiate Network Member

"Getting to meet and work alongside the mothers of the movement, Pat Griffin and Helen Carrol, and others whose work inspired me to share my story was an experience I will never forget and am most grateful for. Dialogue on transphobia in sports and the needs of trans athletes was especially eye opening and It is with newfound inspiration, a fortified passion, and a honed-in focus that I return to my advocacy work and cannot wait to devote myself to furthering the work of the LGBT Sports Coalition." 

Toni Kokenis, Stanford University - GO! Collegiate Network Member

"You always hear people talk about changing the world. The members of this Summit are going to. Together." 

 Here are some of our favorite pics from Portland!  Enjoy!!

Sean Smith and Anna Aagenes

GO! Athletes Collegiate Network and Committee Members

Pat Griffin, Jason Collins, and Anna Aagenes

Sean Smith, Becca Lindquist, Kye Allums, Anna Aagenes and Jay Hayes