LOS ANGELES — David McFarland, founder and CEO of United For Equality In Sports & Entertainment (UESE), has announced the non-profit’s official launch with a high-level event, Sport Comes Out Against Homophobia, at the United Nations. The goal of the event, which takes place today is to create a global discussion on the role of sport in the fight against homophobia and transphobia. A VIP launch reception will follow the historic events being held at the United Nations. Guests expected to be in attendance to celebrate the UESE launch include tennis legend Martina Navratilova, NBA center and out athlete Jason Collins, and MSNBC Live anchor Thomas Roberts. Also joining UESE will be members from the United Nations and human rights defenders from Russia, South Africa and the United States.
UESE officially launches and partners with the UN to bring LGBT equality in sports to the world stage
“United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment is honored to be working with the esteemed United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights and a core group of nations to launch a global discussion on the important issue of homophobia and transphobia in the world of sport,” said McFarland. “Our goal is to accelerate a global discussion on LGBT equality in sport and to create safe environments for all athletes worldwide as well as to promote the ideals of respect, acceptance, fairness, sportsmanship and equality for all.”
United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment’s is collaborating with the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights and a core group of nations, along with the European Union, to bring the issue of homophobia and transphobia in sport to the world stage. This historic meeting will take place in the meeting Chambers at the UN Headquarters and with over 500 diplomats, world class athletes and Olympians, LGBT activists, UN staff members, and ambassadors in attendance.
United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment will serve as a national and international organization focused on accelerating and achieving equality in sport and entertainment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes and artists. UESE will serve as a major catalyst for change by taking an active role in building coalitions, collaborating with leading change agents and creating alliances with organizations in sport and entertainment to move from the passive notion of tolerance towards the active concept of acceptance to accelerate equality for all.
