NFL player spearheading shift in youth football culture with specialized LGBTQ camp aimed at creating more inclusive environments in locker rooms.
In a significant step towards inclusivity in sports, NFL standout player Khalen Saunders has announced the launch of the first-ever LGBTQ+ youth football camp, scheduled to take place in St. Louis on July 5, 2025 [1][3]. The camp, which will involve Saunders' older brother, Kameron, who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ youth interested in football [3][4].
Saunders, a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints, has taken this initiative to address the barriers that LGBTQ+ individuals often face in traditionally heteronormative and male-dominated sports like football [1]. The camp is a response to the limited representation of LGBTQ+ members in sports, particularly in football.
The primary goals of the camp are to provide a supportive and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ youth to engage in football, promote understanding and acceptance of diversity in race, gender, sexuality, and culture within sports, and break down stereotypes [2]. Saunders hopes that through the camp and the impact Kameron has had on him, he can help reinforce acceptance as vital for a more progressive society.
This initiative is a milestone for inclusivity in sports, especially in football where LGBTQ+ representation is limited. Saunders' camp aims to challenge traditional norms and stigmas associated with football participation, inspire other athletes and sports organizations to embrace inclusivity, and build community awareness around the importance of acceptance and equality in sports settings [1][2][5].
Saunders, who won two Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs before signing with the Saints in 2023, acknowledges that much of people's ignorance comes from "learned traits and learned behaviors." However, as an ally, he believes he can help open people's eyes to the possibilities of a more accepting society [6].
Despite the positive impact the camp is expected to have, Saunders has received criticism for organizing a youth football camp specifically for children in the LGBTQ+ community. He believes these comments come from a lack of understanding of the reasoning behind the camp and has expressed a desire to talk to his critics face-to-face to explain his views [7].
The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, found that a number of LGBTQ youth reported "choosing not to participate in sports due to reasons related to discrimination or fear of LGBTQ-based discrimination" [8]. Saunders' camp aims to address this issue by providing a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ youth to participate in football.
With the proportion of American adults who identify as LGBTQ+ rising to 9.3% of the population according to a Gallup Poll released earlier this year [9], the need for initiatives like Saunders' camp becomes increasingly important. Kameron Saunders, a dancer and choreographer who has featured on Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour," will join his brother in this endeavour.
Saunders' camp is not only fostering diversity but also setting a precedent for future programs to promote equity and acceptance in traditionally exclusive sports environments [3][4]. By leveraging his platform as an NFL player and involving family members from the LGBTQ+ community, Saunders is making a significant contribution to the fight for inclusivity in sports.
The first-ever LGBTQ+ youth football camp, launched by NFL player Khalen Saunders, aims to break down stereotypes and promote understanding in traditionally male-dominated sports like football. Khalen Saunders, a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints, hopes to challenge traditional norms and contribute to a more accepting society through his camp.
