HARTFORD, Conn. – The Trinity College athletic department welcomed Mx. Lex Horwitz to campus on Tuesday, April 4 for a day filled with educational workshops, open discussions, and public speaking to hundreds of Trinity student-athletes. Lex Pe'er Horwitz (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary, transgender, Jewish, nationally-recognized and award-winning LGBTQ+ educator, activist, public speaker, and consultant. Horwitz received their B.A. from Bowdoin College in psychology and gender, sexuality, and women's studies, where they competed on the varsity men's squash team and became the first out transgender athlete in all collegiate squash, and the first out transgender athlete to compete at Bowdoin.
Horwitz's work aims to educate people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences on LGBTQ+ subjects through workshops, public speaking, consultation services, and one-on-one sessions. Horwitz conducted and led two discussions with Trinity student-athletes on April 4, which included one workshop with student-athlete leaders during the day, and a discussion with hundreds of Trinity athletes across all teams at night.
"Cultivating an inclusive and safe environment that's welcoming for all is crucial to improving the student-athlete experience, and bringing workshops and education like this to our campus can be incredibly influential in that process," said Trinity Coordinator of Compliance and DEI Rachel Rank. "It was inspiring to see so many of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff come together to support this important work."
Trinity student-athlete leaders gathered in the Cornelia Center for lunch, where Horwitz led a workshop on creating affirming and inclusive spaces on teams where all teammates feel welcomed and supported. At night, Horwitz was welcomed by over 500 Trinity College student-athletes, coaches, and administrators for a powerful public speaking event at the college's student center. Through this event, Horwitz shared their profound and unique journey as a collegiate athlete and beyond with the Trinity community. Horwitz not only shared their story through an impactful and engaging discussion but also provided guidance on how Trinity student-athletes might take these tools and apply them to their own teams and communities, where they can create an affirming and inclusive space for all. Horwitz's facilitation was centered around creating a safe and non-judgmental space, where regardless of one's knowledge about LGBTQ+ subjects, issues, and topics, each student-athlete had the space to ask questions and gain knowledge in a welcoming environment.
