In spite of an entire catalog of jokes about how women’s sports are chock full of lesbians, there is a gap between that perception and actual, identifiable role models for LGBTQ athletes and coaches. Br{ache the Silence is an organization working to close that gap and to make women’s athletics a more inclusive and welcoming place for the LGBTQ community. The organization is focusing on creating leadership, educating and training college coaches and administration, and giving athletes and their allies the skills they need to be advocates for the LGBTQ community.

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This past weekend Title IX celebrated its 40th anniversary. In honor of this milestone Nike released a new film called “Voices.”

The film features four female athletes including Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first women’s marathon gold medalist, Marlen Esparza, boxing national champion, and Diana Taurasi and Lisa Leslie, two famous WNBA players.

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One of the most significant impacts of Title IX is the impact the legislation has had on training new generations of female leadership. When Title IX passed in 1972, there were 15 women in Congress. Today there are 92 women in the House and Senate. So long as the support for Title IX goals and programs continues there’s no reason to think that number won’t rise.

While link between increasing access to sports and becoming elected to office might merely reflect changing social structures, there is new research to suggest that athletic participation has become a social eligibility factor in the success of candidates for elected office. A study conducted by Dr. Leanne Doherty from Simmons College found that athletic experience is cited by 25% of candidates who run for Congress to increase their viability in the eyes of voters. This included talking about sports experiences they had in high school or college, or that of family members.

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The post Title IX builds female leaders first appeared on Lesbian.com.