BKTC X PRIDE NYC

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights for the LBGT community. It sparked the formation of the Gay Liberation Front as well as other gay, lesbian and bisexual civil rights organizations and the LGBT & Pride movement.

We are so proud of our LGBTQ runners and value deeply their contribution to the team and the greater NYC running community. Below are a handful of our amazing runners sharing what being LGBTQ and running:

LAURA

What does it mean to you personally to be LGBTQ in running?
Culture is the beliefs, behaviors, objects, and other characteristics shared by groups of people.  The LGBTQ, is not only a community, it’s a culture. Being able to intertwine the LGBTQ culture with the running culture has been special.  To me, they both symbolize love, inclusion and feeling free. The love and support from the running community has been unreal.  There've been times in my life, when being myself wasn’t always an easy thing to do but running has made me feel like I can be my true self.

What advice would you give to a younger LGBTQ runner?
My advice to a younger LGBTQ runner is to love and embrace yourself. It may not always be easy but there is a whole community that loves you.  Please continue to be strong, regardless of any negativity, you are never alone.

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ZACH

​What does it mean to you personally to be LGBTQ in running?
As you grow up, you begin to understand areas of your life where being gay limited you or set you a few paces behind non-LGBTQ people. With running, that's rarely the case. Once you lace up your sneakers, toe the line, and the gun goes, everything else vanishes. Everyone's equal. It's just you and the clock. 

What advice would you give to a younger LGBTQ runner?
Celebrate yourself! There are more and more LGBTQ runners out there performing at such an incredibly high level, and it's refreshing to see the sport celebrate these athletes. Look to them as examples, and let yourself shine. 

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CAM

What does it mean to you personally to be LGBTQ in running?
To me it is everything! To be able to be who I am and not have any fear of being accepted/celebrated is nothing short of incredible! We have such an amazing and strong community. The running community as a whole knows how to love and support  in a way that most don’t and that’s how the world should be! #loveislove

What advice would you give to a younger LGBTQ runner?
My advice would be to never let anyone bring you down with hurtful words that they may have! You have to remember everyone is dealing with something and that’s some peoples copping mechanism so you have to just love them through whatever that may be. Always keep dreaming, growing, and pushing for greatness! There is such an incredible support system around all of us so you gotta remember that and use it to flourish! Times are changing and I think for the better and we have to keep that momentum going! We are a force to be reckoned with y’all!

Be you, be proud, and don’t let anyone take away your sparkle! 🦄🌈✨

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CASSIDY

What does it mean to you personally to be LGBTQ in running?
It means representation. I was actually unsure whether I was going to send anything in for this at first. Then I was watching the Addidas Boost Boston Games and when Nikki Hiltz won the mile, she draped herself in a rainbow flag, and I felt like if she could do it, and be a representative of LGBTQ runners on a large stage, then I could surely also be one on a much smaller stage. 

What advice would you give to a younger LGBTQ runner?
Be yourself and don't be afraid to bring up personal things when running. Sometimes I feel like with running, it can be hard to talk about things outside of running but I would tell younger LGBTQ runners to not be afraid of sharing that they are LGBTQ with their running communities. It's a part of who we are even if it doesn't directly relate to running!

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