LGBTQ has always been a serious topic in sports, sometimes receiving massive support and other times generating significant backlash from the community. New Orleans Saints star Khalen Saunders is lucky in this regard because he is not facing criticism for his decision to support LGBTQ.
Khalen Saunders is receiving great support for his decision to break barriers by hosting a football camp for LGBTQ youth this summer. This new program, announced at the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, aims to make sports more welcoming for young athletes who often feel left out.
The two-time Super Bowl champion has teamed up with GLAAD and the NFL Pride Football Combine to start this camp, which will begin on July 5. He said, “These are people who feel like they have to be hidden, although they might love the sport…but they kind of shy away from it just because of orientations…”
🚨NEWS: #Saints standout defensive tackle Khalen Saunders says he is hosting an LGBTQ Youth Football Camp.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 2, 2025
“The #NFL is very male-dominant and heterosexual dominant, and it feels as though there's not really a space for the LGBTQ community.”
Sanders says football is for all. pic.twitter.com/Da6ukAvg8N
He added, “My goal is to continue to spread positive energy around that because football is for everybody. Football is for all.”
The camp is part of Saunders’ Original Element foundation, which works to support and empower underrepresented communities. Former Dallas Cowboys player RK Russell is also joining Khalen Saunders in this effort.
NFL community praising Khalen Saunders for sponsoring LGBTQ
As the NFL continues to evolve, Khalen Saunders’ efforts are paving the way for a more inclusive future in sports. His initiative sends a powerful message, and fans from all cities have taken to social media to praise Saunders for tackling homophobia head-on.
@dkwhite8965 said, “The homophobic comments are the exact reason why guys like Saunders are making sure LGBTQ kids and adults feel safe in these spaces. This is such a fantastic initiative.”
The homophobic comments are the exact reason why guys like Saunders are making sure LGBTQ kids and adults feel safe in these spaces. This is such a fantastic initiative.
— David White (@dkwhite8965) April 3, 2025
@NotFestaFanatic tweeted, “We need more of this in sports man, as someone who’s queer and played football through college we do not do enough outreach and the culture really ostrasizes anyone who isn’t straight on teams.”
We need more of this in sports man, as someone who's queer and played football through college we do not do enough outreach and the culture really ostrasizes anyone who isn't straight on teams https://t.co/cPYqnLwbMw
— Josh #Gasper4MVP 🏳️🌈🇵🇸 (@NotFestaFanatic) April 3, 2025
@KyleMoshier added, “As a Panthers fan, I hate the Saints so much. However, I could not give enough props to Khalen for taking this initiative. This rocks.”
As a Panthers fan, I hate the Saints so much. However, I could not give enough props to Khalen for taking this initiative. This rocks. https://t.co/ULnUHDkpsy
— Kyle Moshier (@KyleMoshier) April 3, 2025
@_eazzyduzit wrote, “I know you’re not gonna see this but this means so much to the LGBTQ football fans, thank you so much Bink, football should be for everyone to enjoy 🫶🏼”
I know you're not gonna see this but this means so much to the LGBTQ football fans, thank you so much Bink, football should be for everyone to enjoy 🫶🏼
— Josh (@_eazzyduzit) April 4, 2025
