Gays and lesbians
File - Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Carl Nassib looks on during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. Nassib dreamed of a different kind of social media app for years – one that celebrates positivity and community. With Rayze, a new app that links people to each other and to nonprofits, he may have it. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
Rayze app lands investment to connect volunteers, nonprofits

By Glenn Gamboa Nov. 14, 2022 08:22 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2021, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden meets with the media following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Gruden is out as coach of the Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. A person familiar with the decision said Gruden is stepping down after The New York Times reported that Gruden frequently used misogynistic and homophobic language directed at Commissioner Roger Goodell and others in the NFL. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Chuckie chucked: Gruden's words antithetical to modern NFL

By Arnie Stapleton Oct. 12, 2021 02:21 AM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden speaks with officials during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Column: Gruden gone, and it couldn't have come fast enough

By Tim Dahlberg Oct. 12, 2021 01:32 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2021, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden meets with the media following an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh. Gruden is out as coach of the Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. A person familiar with the decision said Gruden is stepping down after The New York Times reported that Gruden frequently used misogynistic and homophobic language directed at Commissioner Roger Goodell and others in the NFL. (AP Photo/Don Wright, File)
Jon Gruden resigns as Raiders coach over offensive emails

By Josh Dubow Oct. 11, 2021 07:32 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 12, 2016, file photo, Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Rogers (14) is shown during the first half of an MLS soccer game, in Commerce City, Colo. Rogers played several seasons in Major League Soccer after coming out, but that sport doesn't carry the same weight in this country as the NFL or the NBA or Major League Baseball or even the NHL. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Column: Nassib coming out barely a blip for unbeaten Raiders

By Paul Newberry Sep. 24, 2021 12:51 PM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) forces a fumble by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during overtime in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Nassib's strip-sack helps Raiders in OT victory over Ravens

By W.g. Ramirez Sep. 14, 2021 02:17 AM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib performs a drill during an NFL football practice Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Nassib says he's gotten only 'love and support' from Raiders

By W.g. Ramirez Aug. 06, 2021 05:40 PM EDT

Nashville prospect comes out as gay in NHL milestone

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 19, 2021 10:16 AM EDT
A Nashville Predators prospect has come out as gay, a milestone moment for the sport of hockey as the first player signed to an NHL contract to make that...

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Nassib on Monday, June 21, 2021, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib announced the news on Instagram, saying he was not doing it for the attention but because “I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Column: Nassib's video shatters decades-old sports barrier

By Jim Litke Jun. 22, 2021 07:24 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Nassib on Monday, June 21, 2021, became the first active NFL player to come out as gay. Nassib announced the news on Instagram, saying he was not doing it for the attention but because “I just think that representation and visibility are so important.” (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Nassib becomes first active NFL player to come out as gay

By Arnie Stapleton Jun. 21, 2021 07:03 PM EDT

Labor Party candidate for Sydney City Council and former National Rugby League football player Ian Roberts marches in a marriage equality rally in Sydney, Aug. 13, 2016. In 1995 Roberts became the first high-profile Australian sportsperson to come out as gay. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)
Years after coming out, gay athletes upset by lack of change

By Dennis Passa Dec. 02, 2020 12:02 AM EST

NFL launching initiatives throughout LGBTQ History Month

Oct. 09, 2020 03:03 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has launched a series of initiatives associated with LGBTQ History Month, which includes National Coming Out Day on Sunday and Spirit...

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2019, file photo, Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman sits in a special outside booth before the Reds' baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati. Brennaman used a gay slur during the broadcast of Cincinnati's game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Brennaman used the slur moments after the Fox Sports Ohio broadcast returned from a commercial break before the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader. Brennaman did not seem to realize he was already on air. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Fox says Brennaman won't announce NFL games after slur

Aug. 20, 2020 05:21 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers assistant coach Katie Sowers speaks to reporters during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, at Marlins Park in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Katie Sowers trailblazer as 1st woman coach at Super Bowl

By Teresa M. Walker Jan. 30, 2020 02:36 AM EST

San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant Katie Sowers watches as players practice at the team's NFL football training facility in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. The 49ers will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 54. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Trailblazing 49ers assistant has roots in Chiefs Kingdom

By Dave Skretta Jan. 25, 2020 11:26 AM EST

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws a pass during the first half of the team's preseason NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Drew Brees defends himself from anti-gay accusations

Sep. 05, 2019 08:49 PM EDT

In this Feb. 3, 2017, photo, the scoreboard shows "Pride Night," before the start of an NHL hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the Anaheim Ducks in Sunrise, Fla. Researchers say a survey of players in the Australian Ice Hockey League shows homophobic language is often used but that an even higher percentage of competitors would make a gay player feel welcome. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Homophobia study shows perception, reality "disconnect"

By Dennis Passa Jun. 19, 2019 08:17 PM EDT