Ella Douglas interview

In appreciation of LGBTQ Pride Month, June in the USA, I’m linking to an entertaining interview on the Half In, Half Out LGBTQ+ Podcast.

Listen to out Canadian gymnast Ella Douglas who was Co-Captain of the MSU team in 2020, her Senior year.

https://twitter.com/MSUgymnastics/status/1236438930867851267

Ella was totally accepted by her team after announcing her girlfriend. Coaches, friends, everyone.

Ella will be a volunteer coach with MSU next year now that she’s graduated.

Of course there have been other Lesbian WAG gymnasts in College Gymnastics. And some have been open with that to friends and teammates while still competing.

Click through to listen.

Our interview with @EllaDouglas96!!! This is what we dreamed of when we started this podcast – space for LGBTQ+ athletes to share their stories. Ella is the first women’s NCAA gymnast (MSU) to come out publicly while still competing. https://t.co/aTZhNxzqWM

— Half In, Half Out Podcast (@HIHOpodcast) May 23, 2020

Laurie Hernandez interviews Li Li Leung

Laurie is so well spoken. A natural.

This is an upbeat conversation.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

coach Chris McClain suspended by Chelsea Piers

For two years, Sara Allan, a former gymnast who grew up in New York City, had wanted to file a complaint.

In 2018, she wrote a letter saying that her former gymnastics coach at Chelsea Piers, Chris McClain, had engaged in a litany of emotional abuse, including insulting and berating gymnasts about their weight, eating habits and mental abilities. …

In less than a month, Allan had compiled a 13-page document filled with specific complaints against McClain that spanned 15 years — from 33 gymnasts, nine of their family members and five coaches. They demanded that McClain be suspended and, to their surprise, their pleas were quickly heeded.

Chelsea Piers suspended McClain last Saturday, the day after Allan sent the complaint. Then, on Wednesday, U.S.A. Gymnastics also suspended McClain, pending an investigation. …