Husky Pride: Mia Brown

June, Pride Month, means a lot to me as it does to many queer or LGBTQ+ humans. The sports world is a unique place when it comes to visibility, openness and inclusion. Over the last few years, we as athletes and women have made great strides in shedding light on the important aspects of life that in the past, had gotten overlooked for too long. Pride Month gives me the time and space for personal reflection on myself and my individuality. Through this reflection, I have learned to appreciate the characteristics and attributes of my personality and appearance that allow me to separate myself from most societal norms. Namely, I am a strong female athlete and I identify as queer. Having an inclusive, open, and loving team is so important for the mental and physical wellbeing of queer and LGBTQ+ athletes. Teammates are like family to athletes and the support of family and loved ones is so important to people from all walks of the earth. This is another aspect of Pride that is unique to athletics and needs to be talked about.

Being a gay woman and an athlete is very empowering to me because it’s my true and authentic self, but it also allows me to help others with their own journeys. I am fortunate enough to be happy in my own skin but many people are not quite there yet. Through self-expression, I have been able to stand as a visible advocate and representative, inspiring and aiding others to grow into their true and unapologetic selves. My individuality is what sets me apart from the status quo and instead of feeling shame for that, I am grateful. Through athletics I have been able to reach people I never would have without the unique opportunities that are granted to me and my team through sport. 

Growing up, the people I looked up to the most were strong and powerful women who showed the world who they really are, being nothing but shamelessly and unapologetically themselves. People such as Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger, Megan Rapinoe, and so many more were and still are icons to me and so many young women and girls. Their emphasis on visibility and self-truth inspires me every day and is so crucial to the well-being of the people that look up to them. 

Pride Month is a time where we as people get to slow down and thank the ones who came before us and led the way for us now to be our true selves. I truly can't emphasize enough the importance of visibility. Whether it be transgender visibility, gay/lesbian/bi visibility, gender expression visibility, and anything outside or in between. We owe it to our younger generations to continue to pave the way and lay down the groundwork for them to feel comfortable in their own skin and in our society. 

-Mia Brown-