Nike Sponsoring “Queer Youth Field Day” In Memphis This Weekend As They Have For Last Five Years

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Nike is sponsoring a “Queer Youth Field Day” in Memphis this weekend, as they have for the last five years. In partnership with OUTMemphis, an LGBTQ+ organization of thirty-three years, the free event is targeted to children and adults between the ages of 13 to 25 and will feature a variety of activities.

“This event is FREE & OPEN to any LGBTQ+ youth and allies aged 13-25! Come out for an afternoon of bouncy houses, music, friends, and activities for folks of all abilities. Our DJ will be spinning hits to keep the good weather rolling, and we’ll have plenty of snacks and food on hand to keep you fueled throughout the afternoon!” says the invite for Saturday, April 22nd.

Pre-registration is required, no walk-ins or day-of registrations are allowed and OUTMemphis’ website says to RSVP for the address where the field day is to be held but this link gives the address as Glenview Park, located at 1141 S. Barksdale Street in Memphis.

According to the Memphis Flyer, volunteer coordinator and community manager for the group Anu Iyer said that the event is being hosted as a result of “harmful” legislation recently passed by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Iyer reports that Nike approached OUTMemphis in 2018 to inquire about creating a gender-neutral and “inclusive” recreational event day where kids would not be divided into traditional teams for boys and girls.

The field day is just one of many events that OUTMemphis regularly organizes for LGBTQ+ youth. Iyer hosts a weekly “youth group” called PRYSM for kids 12 to 17 years of age where they discuss topics such as gender identity and sexuality while doing arts and crafts and playing board games.

“They request certain kinds of programming that they want to see,” Iyer says. “It’s really important that we have this group.”

Citing few in-person “resources” for “queer” youth, Iyers says, “Other than school and home, we want to be the one place that kids can really feel like themselves.”

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.