The OUT Foundation, in Partnership with PUMA, Announces New Class of 12 LGBTQ+ OUTAthlete Program Recipients
The OUTAthlete Program, Powered by PUMA, has chosen 12 LGBTQ+ young adults to receive fitness memberships through The OUT Foundation beginning in January 2021.It can be hard for many LGBTQ+ young adults to find a place where they feel comfortable participating in fitness, and The OUT Foundation’s mission is to remove the barriers that block individuals’ access and participation in fitness, health, and wellness to ensure their success.“We are so grateful for PUMA’s support of this program and excited to welcome our new class of OUTAthletes,” said Eddie Plata, Executive Director of The OUT Foundation. “2020 has been a challenging year, and we’re so proud to be able to continue to provide programs like this through the work of our new Local Chapters in New Orleans - LA, Portland - ME, and South Florida as well as from the support of PUMA and our community of individual donors.”This year, the OUTAthlete Program is Powered by PUMA and funded, in part, by OUTAthletics events hosted by functional fitness gyms worldwide to create a more inclusive environment and show support for the LGBTQ+ community. At OUTAthletics events, LGBTQ+ athletes and allies join together to participate in a fun workout, create awareness for community issues in fitness, health, and wellness, and raise funds for The OUT Foundation to support programs like this.“We are proud to partner with The OUT Foundation to create a more inclusive environment in the health and wellness space for LGBTQ+ young adults,” said Allison Giorgio, VP of Marketing at PUMA North America. “Through the OUTAthlete program, we are able to help provide additional fitness opportunities across the U.S. for the LGBTQ+ community and we look forward to working on more projects with The OUT Foundation in 2021.”After reviewing applications from a diverse group of 50 applicants and facilitating access to gym memberships through partnerships with local gyms, 12 recipients comprised of asexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer recipients ranging in age from 21 to 33 years of age across 7 states were chosen.The OUTAthlete Program recipients are:
- Robert, 23, Rochester - NY
- Alli, 28, New Orleans - LA
- Danielle, 26, Coram - NY
- Sherry, 26, Washington - DC
- Cindy, 28, Miami - FL
- Cole, 32, Gretna - LA
- Sherrell, 33, Kansas City - MO
- Caidin, 32, Boynton Beach - FL
- Aiden, 24, Portland - ME
- Joel, 29, Woodsville - NH
- Sylvia, 25, Portland - ME
- Georgia, 30, New Orleans - LA
Now enrolling its third class of athletes, the OUTAthlete Program has helped over 30 athletes in 28 cities. OUTAthletes receive a year-long membership to a local LGBTQ+ friendly CrossFit gym, nutrition coaching, 30% off all OUTAthletics apparel, healthy meals, a networking group of current and former OUTAthletes, gifts from sponsors, monthly educational sessions, and more.“I’m grateful for everything the OUTAthlete Program does for the community and me personally,” said Class of 2020 OUTAthlete Syd Gonzalez. “I’ve made amazing lifelong friends and connections from this program. I’m also grateful to Crossfit Rectify who provided support and a welcoming environment during my time there.”This program would not be possible without The OUT Foundation’s Local Chapters as well as the local gym partners who make their communities accessible to OUTAthlete recipients. "As a host gym for the OUTAthlete Program, we are more than proud to represent the diversity of Houston, TX and provide a welcoming environment for all to share in a common goal of achieving health and wellness,” said Anthony Cheung, Owner of CrossFit Rectify. “Syd was a natural fit into our family as they were motivated and regularly sweating it out with the rest of the community. We wish Syd all the best as they pursue higher education out of state and they will always have a fitness home here at Rectify.The OUT Foundation accepts applications for the OUTAthlete program each year. Learn more about this program and the work of The OUT Foundation at www.iamout.org/outathlete.
