'Lesbians did a lot of amazing stuff for women's sports from the closet'

LGBTQ pioneer Pat Griffin on homophobia in sports, prioritizing trans inclusion, and hope.

Fifty years ago, Pat Griffin was a self-described “very closeted” swim coach at the University of Massachusetts. But lesbian athletes would see her out at night dancing, and began coming to her for advice and guidance. Many had parents who were disowning them, some had relationship troubles, and a few were even suicidal as they tried to come to terms wi…