The same week NBA player Jason Collins became the first active male professional athlete playing in a North American team sport to come out as gay, the National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame launched in Chicago and announced it will begin taking nominations this summer.
The organization will aim to spotlight people and groups that have “stood up to stereotypes” and encouraged gay athletes, according to the Chicago Tribune, which first reported on the nonprofit’s launch Wednesday.
“We’re not just going to honor gay athletes, but other athletes who helped those gay athletes along and provided a safe haven,” Bill Gubrud, the organization’s executive director and board chairman, told the paper.
The first induction ceremony for the National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame is set to be held on Aug. 2, a day before a gay and lesbian event at Wrigley Field, according to the Tribune.
Gubrud, who added that he is gay, said that he “would hope” Collins will be nominated and inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.