{"id":62481,"date":"2018-01-26T14:00:27","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T19:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/former-nfl-star-esera-tuaolo-explains-why-he-hopes-his-first-ever-super-bowl-inclusion-party-will-change-the-game-for-lgbtq-acceptance-in-professional-sports\/"},"modified":"2018-01-26T14:00:27","modified_gmt":"2018-01-26T19:00:27","slug":"former-nfl-star-esera-tuaolo-explains-why-he-hopes-his-first-ever-super-bowl-inclusion-party-will-change-the-game-for-lgbtq-acceptance-in-professional-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/former-nfl-star-esera-tuaolo-explains-why-he-hopes-his-first-ever-super-bowl-inclusion-party-will-change-the-game-for-lgbtq-acceptance-in-professional-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NFL star Esera Tuaolo explains why he hopes his first ever Super Bowl Inclusion Party will change the game for LGBTQ acceptance in professional sports"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former NFL star Esera Tuaolo explains why he hopes his first ever Super Bowl Inclusion Party will change the game for LGBTQ acceptance in professional sports<\/b><\/p>\n

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\"Esera<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Esera Tuaolo<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Super Bowl LLII touches down on February 4th<\/sup> in Minneapolis, and whether you\u2019re a Patriots or an Eagles fan (or you\u2019re just excited to watch Justin Timberlake\u2019s halftime show), there\u2019s one new event happening this year that\u2019s a \u201ccan\u2019t miss\u201d for LGBTQ football fans.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, January 31st<\/sup>, former NFL defensive tackle Esera Tuaolo will be throwing the first ever \u201cInclusion Party,\u201d a first-of-its-kind event officially supported by the league, which will focus on diversity and inclusion and is setting out to support equality and acceptance in all professional sporting disciplines.<\/p>\n

Esera, who played 10 seasons in the NFL, came out publicly in 2002,\u00a0and also participated on Team Blake in this past fall\u2019s season of NBC\u2019s \u201cThe Voice,\u201d will be joined by several of his fellow former singing show contestants, along with an array of additional celebrity guests.<\/p>\n

The \u201cInclusion Party\u201d will also raise money for a number of important local organizations. An online auction taking place through CharityBuzz<\/a> will give fans a chance to win tickets to this year\u2019s big game, along with an array of amazing additional items.<\/p>\n

We caught up with Esera to chat<\/a> about what his goals were for creating this event.<\/p>\n

\"Esera<\/p>\n

What experiences in your own life – both personally and professionally – have led you to become such an advocate for change in the LGBTQ movement?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As an out former NFL player for the Vikings, I experienced first-hand what it\u2019s like to not feel included when all you want to be is yourself. \u00a0It is astonishing that in the history of the NFL only 7 players have publicly come out. These past few years we\u2019ve seen great progress in this area but we still have a long way to go, and I think the time is right to make a positive statement!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why is this year the right time to be launching the \u2018Inclusion Party\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SO many reasons!\u00a0I am so proud that the Super Bowl is being held in my current home state of Minnesota.\u00a0It\u2019s a state known for equality progress in the Midwest, especially as a blue state in the recent election. The timing for Equality in Sport is also prime with the upcoming Olympics in PyeongChang where a record number of out athletes will compete. And, now is an important time in general with our current political climate when we should be celebrating diversity more than ever.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of GLAAD\u2019s goals is \u201cAccelerating Acceptance\u201d \u2026 How can an event like the \u2018Inclusion Party\u2019 act as a catalyst for changing people\u2019s hearts and minds?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My hope is that the \u201cInclusion Party\u201d will set an example for other professional sports as well. We have seen many players come out but it\u2019s obviously not all of them. I believe that events like this lead by example and I hope young people will feel empowered by the message this event sends to the nation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How did your participation in The Voice<\/em> last fall change you as an ambassador for LGBTQ rights?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Voice<\/em> was such an amazing experience – to be able to briefly tell my story on national television and hear others\u2019 stories through their viewing.\u00a0Getting the attention of such great advocates as Ellen DeGeneres, I realized that I\u2019ve been given a unique opportunity to shed some light on this topic, and also that I am one of very many who has a similar story to tell. \u00a0It\u2019s time to give them more platforms to do so!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Esera<\/p>\n

Which other pro athletes have been allies and shown their support for this event? And were you at all surprised at their participation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have so much support, it\u2019s been pleasantly overwhelming!\u00a0The great Carl Eller, Ryan Hoag, Lindsay Knapp, Stanley McGlover, Ukee Dozier, Ross Verba, Ryan Harris, Stu Voigt, Asher Allen, Robert Kratch\u2026 the list goes on and on and we hope there will be many more confirming soon. We\u2019re counting on a few special surprises too!<\/p>\n

Which other partners and organizations have embraced the event and are working to help promote it? \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Esera First and foremost, having the support of the actual NFL and the Vikings Organization behind us is huge\u2026 and historic. And Adidas is such a wonderful brand for being our very first presenting sponsors. We are proud to be benefiting three great charities: The Hate In Any Form is Wrong<\/a> Foundation, PACER\u2019s National Bullying Prevention Center<\/a>, and Avenues for Homeless Youth<\/a>. \u00a0We\u2019re also lucky to have promotional partners like GLAAD \u2013 you all do such a great job advancing these causes in all forms of media. Also, the Federation of Gay Games<\/a> which is also all about Diversity and Inclusion in Sport and are holding their 10th Games in Paris this August. Other partners include\u00a096.7 Twin Cities Pride Radio, iHeartRadio, who ran some great promo spots for us, as well as Metropolis Rugby Football Club<\/a> and Rugby Athletic<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What is your hope for this event\u2019s future and also for the next generation of NFL players?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I hope that this event will become an annual tradition and grow in size and attention year after year! Our goal is to have \u201cInclusion Party\u201d benefit new applicable local charities each year, based on where the Super Bowl is being held. For example, we can’t wait to get going on \u201cInclusion Party: Atlanta\u201d next year! If all goes well, we\u2019ll have more and more out and proud NFL players hosting year after year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first annual \u201cInclusion Party\u201d takes place on Wednesday, January 31st<\/sup>, at 7 p.m. in Minneapolis.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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January 26, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Issues:\u00a0<\/div>\n