While there are other governing bodies that have better representation, like USA Equestrian with 5 active athletes on its board of 19, the paucity of athlete representation on many of these bodies makes it difficult for athlete voices to be heard.
The responsibility to promote LGBT athlete voices, however, does not rest solely on allies: we need to look at the institutions, organizations, and media sources that fail to spotlight L, G, B, and T voices.
A Mississippi State athlete voiced his opinion on gay football players in light of Michael Sam's coming out, saying he "looks down" on them and that "being gay is not a man".
A more robust athlete representation would be one a major step in ensuring athletes' voice would be heard.
No matter how many athletes voice their support, no matter how many media outlets cover the issue positively, no matter how many companies express their support for gay athletes, there is still this irrational fear because no one has done it before.
You can't quite hear the athletes' voices.
What do you make of professional athletes voicing their opinions in that way?
We never heard athletes' voices or became aware of their "image".
The sport's governing body has been hit by a series of negative stories in the past 18 month after several former athletes voiced their concerns over the recruitment of foreign-born wrestlers, initially as sparring partners, who were said to be then ' taking the places' of home-grown athletes.
While many athletes voiced their disappointment, one of White's tweets took a dark turn.
