Michigan State is a diverse and unique campus, providing a community for thousands of students from around the world. This is particularly important to the LGBTQ+ community in sports, as it helps student-athletes find a home away from home.
Photograph by Morgan Jenzen
BRINGING INCLUSION TO SPORTS
Being a D1 athlete at a Big Ten Conference school requires immense time and energy. Athletes often face pressure from family and friends that many of us will never understand.
But how does being a member of the LGBTQ+ community impact their experiences as student-athletes? We asked Liz Jewell and Grace Thomas for the answer, two queer student-athletes here at Michigan State University.
But how does being a member of the LGBTQ+ community impact their experiences as student-athletes? We asked Liz Jewell and Grace Thomas for the answer, two queer student-athletes here at Michigan State University.
Reporter
Lindsey Grimes
Photo
Noah Greenberg
Lindsey Grimes
Morgan Jenzen
Ryan Weir
Video
Noah Greenberg
Lindsey Grimes
Morgan Jenzen
Ryan Weir
Graphics
Alexis Morton
Lindsey Grimes
Photo
Noah Greenberg
Lindsey Grimes
Morgan Jenzen
Ryan Weir
Video
Noah Greenberg
Lindsey Grimes
Morgan Jenzen
Ryan Weir
Graphics
Alexis Morton
MSU student Morgan Jenzen shoots b-roll of the women's rowing team on March 18, 2024 as part of the JRN 410: Advanced Photojournalism team. Photo by Ryan Weir
Liz Jewell, a women’s rugby team member, says that joining the LGBTQ+ dominated sport was the first time she found a community of her own. Jewell is a Sophomore studying Human Biology and expressed that the discipline obtained from rugby often flows into her academics.
However, her success is highlighted by the support of her teammates and coaches, whom she describes as a family on and off the field. She aims to inspire young LGBTQ+ athletes to keep pushing and pursue their dreams in an authentic way.
Photo by Noah Greenberg
However, her success is highlighted by the support of her teammates and coaches, whom she describes as a family on and off the field. She aims to inspire young LGBTQ+ athletes to keep pushing and pursue their dreams in an authentic way.
Photo by Noah Greenberg
Grace Thomas, a member of the women’s rowing team, has also found an authentic community of LGBTQ+ athletes through her sport. She is a part of Spartan Pride Alliance, a LGBTQ+ club for MSU varsity athletes to come together in a safe space. Using the club to keep the legacy of the late MSU rower Olivia Long (2022) alive, the club hopes to bring LGBTQ+ athletes and allies closer.
She is one of the leading members of this organization and takes pride in their accomplishments. Thomas also finds support in her identity and high level of pressure being a D1 athlete through her friends and family. She shares her message to “never forget that you do matter, and you are important no matter how you identify.”
Photo by Ryan Weir
She is one of the leading members of this organization and takes pride in their accomplishments. Thomas also finds support in her identity and high level of pressure being a D1 athlete through her friends and family. She shares her message to “never forget that you do matter, and you are important no matter how you identify.”
Photo by Ryan Weir
Liz Jewell catching a rugby ball in a heavy offensive drill. The practice took place at Spartan Greens turf at Michigan State University on April 1st, 2024. Photo by Noah Greenberg
“
I feel like coming into this sport and having this community already there and behind me and having it be so queer-dominated helps me feel more empowered to be more open about my identity."
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ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Sharing stories of belonging, inspiration, and community.
SUB[CULTURE] is a multimedia project researched, pitched, produced, and distributed by the JRN 410: Advanced Photojournalism class at the Michigan State University (MSU) - School of Journalism. After narrowing their story topic to subcultures, our visual journalists decided to take a closer look at what makes Michigan State University a special place of belonging for the 50,000+ students enrolled and the communities that support our fellow Spartans. This semester, the subculture we explored was our LGBTQ+ student community. Explore more of their stories by clicking the links below.
Previous
A Hous For Everyone
As she learns to navigate the world as a transgender woman, Michigan State University student Josie Ferrandino finds an escape from anxieties and a community through the art of drag performance.
Next
Eclectic Abduction
Tristian Laney expresses his identity as an artist, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a Spartan through fashion design.
