The Student-Athlete Pride Network (JJCSAPN)

The Student-Athlete Pride Network (JJCSAPN)

The Student-Athlete Pride Network (JJCSAPN) is a student-centered organization that aims to bring together LGBTQ+ student-athletes and athletic staff and allies within the John Jay athletics community. The main goals of SAPN are to build a community that educates and advocates through events and social media campaigns. Currently, we provide a safe meeting space and educational events for student-athletes and athletic staff who want to make the John Jay athletics environment an inclusive space. JJCSAPN is needed to address the social isolation and ostracization many LGBTQ+ individuals face in athletic spaces. Research and athlete experiences have shown that this Is a major issue in college athletics, with the NCAA finding that the majority of discrimination reported by LGBTQ+ athletes takes place at games, practices, and within college athletics spaces.

Students should know that individuals of any sexual orientation or gender identity are welcome in the JJCSAPN and that membership is currently limited to student-athletes and staff. Our events and meetings will still be open to all who are interested in making sports more inclusive! To join, follow @jjcsapn on Instagram and fill out the survey in our Linktree. We will also post upcoming events and meetings on our Instagram, so make sure to follow to stay updated! Our next event will be a general interest meeting on December 8, at community hour (1:40 PM).

Tabling for JJCSAPN was a great learning experience! I got to meet some interesting people and visit with Jameson the Bloodhound. It was great to see support from the Student-Athlete community and athletic staff. I am looking forward to tabling more events in the future and learning new ways to promote the SAPN in the John Jay community!