NEWPORT, R.I. - A three-time All-American wrestler at Division I Maryland who made headlines with his outspoken public support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, will talk about what motivated him to speak out and to found "Athlete Ally" when he visits Salve Regina on Wednesday, March 6.
Hudon Taylor, currently the head wrestling coach at Columbia University, will present his talk, open to the university community, at 7 p.m. in Bazarsky Lecture Hall, located in O'Hare Academic Center. His visit is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB) Spotlight committee and The Alliance Club.
Taylor graduated from the University of Maryland as one of the top-five pinners in NCAA history. Committed to civil rights and social justice, he wore a Human Rights campaign sticker on his wrestling headgear in college to show solidarity - as a heterosexual athlete ally - with the LGBT community. This single act drew media attention around the country and prompted thousands of inspiring, personal messages.
With this encouragement, Hudson became committed to speaking louder as an advocate. He founded the non-profit organization Athlete Ally as a resource to encourage athletes, coaches, parents, fans and other members of the community to respect all individuals involved in sports, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Hudson was recently honored for his work with PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) with the 2011 "Straight for Equality in Sports" award.