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Dear Friends,
The Gene and John Athletic Fund of Stonewall is proud to have recently supported three exemplary
efforts promoting LGBT athletic endeavor and achievement: The First Annual Stonewall Swim across Long
Island's Great South Bay; the Q Center of Portland, Oregon's Youth Athletic Clinics; and the awarding
of the annual Gene and John Athletic Fund Scholarship to Patrick Ryan Adams, a runner, skier and rower
who's majoring in Environmental Studies at Colby College. Below are the stories of these exceptional
programs and athletes.
Sincerely,
Gene and John
The Gene & John Athletic Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation
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This summer saw the inauguration of The First Annual Stonewall Swim across Long Island's
Great South Bay from Sayville to Fire Island Pines. The Honorary Chairs of the Swim were
John Kiley and Gene Silbert, the co-founders of the Gene and John Athletic Fund. "We were
thrilled to be honorary chairs and supporters of this exciting event," Gene Silbert said.
"This three and a half mile swim across the Bay is exactly the kind of activity that we
want to promote. It is perfectly aligned with our Fund's mission 'to promote athletic
role models by showcasing the abilities of gay and lesbian athletes'. All 34 swimmers
who took part in this challenging swim are exactly the kind of role models we want to showcase."
(Getting ready to swim from Sayville to the Pines.)
The 34 swimmers ranged in age from early twenties to late fifties. All finished the course.
Among the 34 was Michael Holts, who last summer swam the English Channel. Michael said that
in some ways this was an even more difficult swim than the Channel because of the Bay's
rough and choppy water and the currents against which you had to swim. He also said that
in the Bay it was difficult to see exactly where you were headed, whereas in the Channel,
a power boat went before the swimmers, pointing the way. One of the youngest swimmers to
cover the Long Island course was Win Chesson with a remarkable time of 1 hour 28 minutes.
The oldest swimmer crossed in 2 hours 52 minutes.
(Win Chesson finishes the Swim in 1 hour 28 minutes.)
As in any open-water swim there was an unsung hero in the First Annual Stonewall Swim. Early
in the swim, Josh Judge, a 33 year-old swimmer from New York, swallowed a mouthful of water
containing diesel fuel. In spite of 20 minutes of violently unpleasant illness, Josh bravely
struggled on to finish the course in 2 hours 45 minuets.
The finish line was at the handsome bay-side home of Ali Momtaz and Geo Higgins in the Pines.
There, Christine Ebersole, the Broadway star and movie actress, was among the many welcoming
the swimmers as they came ashore.
(Finish Line Party)
The swim was not only an impressive athletic achievement, it was also an extremely successful
fund raiser, surpassing its target of $100,000. Said Bill Mattle, Stonewall's executive director,
"We couldn't be happier with the great success of the swim. It was inspiring to see so many
people from all walks of life come together to make this event happen. The money raised will
be put to use right away to support New York's LGBT community." Mattle noted that one of the
swimmers, Robby Browne, alone raised $20,000. However, the majority of contributions came in
small donations of $25 and $50 from individual donors.
(Members of Team New York Aquatics celebrate at the finish line.)
As for the Swim's future John Kiley commented: "Sixteen of the thirty four participants were
members of Team New York Aquatics, New York's LGBT swim team, of which I am a long-time member.
Most of the other swimmers were also from New York. However, it is Stonewall's vision that in
the coming years we can expand the scope of the swim to include more participants from outside
the New York area. Out-of-state and International participation is definitely on the horizon
as word of the event spreads though our athletic community. Gene Silbert and I very much look
forward to that and will continue our support of the event to make that happen," Kiley concluded.
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(Q Center softball player)
In 2008 the Fund decided to expand the Fund's reach beyond our scholarship program by contacting
various gay and lesbian organizations around country asking for their best ideas for the creation
of a sports-oriented program to benefit gay and lesbian youth. As a result the Q Center of Portland,
with our financial support, created a series of Youth Athletic Clinics. These Clinics taught the
basics of three sports, softball, volleyball, and soccer to LGBT teenagers in the Portland area.
Each clinic was led by two to three coaches from local gay and lesbian sport organizations.
Participants were provided with equipment for the various sports. In a few cases, some youths
did not have proper footwear and did not have the resources to purchase new sneakers. In these
cases Nike, a strong supporter of the Q-Center, provided sneakers, ensuring that no youth was
turned away due to lack of financial resources. A meal was a regular part of each Sport Clinic
day, so that the participants could enjoy a healthy meal and engage one another on the sidelines
before and after they played.
The impact of these clinics was clear to both the coaches and the team members. The pressure,
prejudice, and isolation that befalls LGBT athletes in school settings was not a factor. A sense
of camaraderie and support seemed to escalate on the fields and on the courts, especially when a
team member was not as strong as others in certain aspects of the sport. Teasing and goading,
which happens in any sport, was not absent, but it was not directed at the athletes' sexual orientation:
When someone yelled 'Go Queen" it was recognized as a rallying cry of support and not a character attack.
(Members of The Q Center playing softball)
The Q Center of Portland organizers said that ultimately they were very pleased with the outcome of
the Clinics, which started as an idea and grew into a program that made a difference in the lives of
LGBT youth in PortlandOregon.
The Fund has already sent out Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to a number of other LGBT community
organizations, seeking new ideas for athletic programs that will benefit GLBT youth. Responses
will be reviewed later this year and the Fund looks forward to receiving suggestions as well-thought-out
as that of the Q Center of Portland.
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(Patrick Ryan Adams)
For the fourth consecutive year the Gene and John Athletic Fund of Stonewall has selected an
outstanding athlete to receive its 2009 scholarship: Patrick Ryan Adams, a recent graduate from
the DeerfieldAcademy who this fall will be attending ColbyCollege. The scholarship will help Patrick
in paying his college tuition.
At Deerfield, Patrick's chosen sports were cross country running, skiing and rowing. In cross
country he won three awards and was team captain in 2008. On the Varsity Ski Team he won another
achievement award and was captain of the Team for the 2008/9 season. During his three years of
rowing at Deerfield, Patrick won two bronze medals and one fourth place in the New England Championships
rowing in Division1 A fours. Rowing is the sports he is most passionate about, and he will continuing
rowing while attending college.
Patrick was also an Eagle Scout and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics.
He was very active in Deerfield's Gay-Straight Alliance where he said "I teamed up with our president
to create a confidential counseling service for students who were in the closet, and who might not want
to speak with the school's counselors. She and I heard from a number of needy, lonely students and spoke
with them personally. I wish I could have been involved longer (at Deerfield) so that I could hold an
official leadership position, but I won't make the same mistake at in college and will become involved
right away."
"As a three-season varsity athlete, captain for two and a proctor living on a hall of freshmen and
sophomores, by the reaction I received, after I came out, I know I succeeded in altering people's
perceptions about the LGBT community. Students, teachers, friends, and teammates, even some from Ghana
and Korea, graciously told me so. I will continue to live as a successful and humble example, for people
in and outside the LGBT community. I intend to do this by doing my best in academics and athletics, and
remaining involved. I intend to major in Environmental Studies so that I can [help] make our planet
sustainable" Patrick said. Summarizing his philosophy, Patrick said: "While I realize anyone can say
they will make a difference, I know I can."
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In 2010 the Gene & John Athletic Fund of Stonewall will again be offering scholarships of $2,500 and $5,000 to
LGBT athletes for continuing their education while pursuing athletics. To obtain an application contact:
Stonewall Community Foundation
119 West 24th Street
New York, NY, 10011
Call: 212-367-1155
Mail to: stonewall@stonewallfoundation.org
For more information about the Gene & John Athletic Fund and its mission visit
the Fund's website at geneandjohnfoundation.org.
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As we approach the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Gene and John Athletic Fund,
we are grateful for and inspired by the example of these and all the fine athletes, dedicated coaches,
and committed administrators we have had the honor of meeting and working with. Humbled by their
passion and inspired by their achievements, we look forward to supporting and shining the light on
more fine LGBT athletes in 2010 and beyond.
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Volume 1, Issue 2
Volume 1, Issue 1
