Athlete Ally chapter to help LGBT athletes

Cornell men's soccer midfielder Atticus DeProspo '15 has launched an Athlete Ally chapter on campus "to break down barriers and show that LGBT individuals can be anyone and anywhere." The organization's "message of tolerance, respect and acceptance for all people" has received positive feedback from Big Red teams and the campus community, he said. All are welcome to join Athlete Ally , he said. The group is an approved Cornell University independent organization and has the support of DeProspo's school, ILR. Information about meetings is available by contacting DeProspo at awd39 [a] cornell (p) edu. "It's not just student athletes, it's anyone who supports the mission and values of Athlete Ally, and wants to help change sports culture to be more respectful." Since posting his personal story on the national Athlete Ally website, DeProspo said he has received and given support. "I've gotten a lot of emails from strangers, talking about their own struggles, and from parents who suspect that their child might be gay.