A new wave of advocacy is sweeping through Brandeis University. A group of passionate student-athletes has come together to create the University's chapter of the national advocacy group, Athlete Ally. This movement is part of a larger effort to increase LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, especially college athletics.

The Athlete Ally chapter at Brandeis was officially established in October of 2024, and its roots trace back to an experience at the Athlete Activism Summit in summer 2024. Rani Balakrishna '25, a senior on the Brandeis softball team, was invited to attend the summit by Lynn Dempsey, the University's Associate Director of Athletics. The summit, which Adidas, Gatorade and Gillette support, focuses on queer inclusion in sports and provides athletes with strategies for promoting inclusivity within their teams and institutions.

When asked about the summit, Balakrishna shared that it opened "a world of possibilities.” Tufts University, a softball rival, was recognized as the Campus Chapter of the Year after it gained 100 members in one year, which inspired Balakrishna to get more Brandeis athletes on the same page. 

The co-founding members of the Brandeis Athlete Ally chapter include Balakrishna, Anna Kolb '25, Fiona Doiron '25 and Jordan Wallace '28 — all from Brandeis Softball — along with Elle Yung '28 from the Track and Field team. These athletes, diverse in both sport and background, share a common mission: to challenge the systemic issues of homophobia and transphobia that continue to permeate college athletics and beyond.

Yung credited Brandeis for its work so far, saying, "[I] give Brandeis a lot of credit because of how open and inclusive the athletics are," but both Balakrishna and Yung say that there is still a lot of work to be done. 

With the Brandeis chapter up and running, the team is focused on establishing lasting traditions to benefit future student-athlete generations. One of their primary goals is to host Pride Games, where teams wear pride patches on their jerseys to support the LGBTQ+ community.

"We're working to get probationary status from the Student Union," said Yung. "In the future, I hope we can make Pride Games a Brandeis tradition that athletes look forward to every year, like Homecoming."

The group has already begun planning for the next big event: the Pride Basketball Games on Feb. 7. These games are not just about representation but also about fostering understanding and inclusivity within Brandeis athletics. 

"We're working to normalize who people are," said Balakrishna. "We're doing this because some athletes are persecuted and discriminated against for simply being who they are. That has to change."

Yung points to Nikki Hiltz, a non-binary Olympic runner, as a source of inspiration. Yung and Balakrishna emphasize the importance of starting small and seeking a supportive team for students at Brandeis and beyond who are looking to spark change in their own communities.

"One email can change everything," Yung advised. Balakrishna echoed this sentiment: "Start small, but ensure you have a team behind you.” 

Balakrishna and Yung see their involvement in Athlete Ally as a springboard for future advocacy work. Balakrishna hopes to pursue a career in public service post-graduation, inspired by her experiences on campus, including her role as president of the Student Union. Yung, who plans to research the needs of transgender athletes, is determined to ensure that these athletes are supported in the future.

As the Brandeis Athlete Ally chapter continues to grow, it is clear that their work is just beginning. "We are building something that we hope will last," Balakrishna said. Through their work, they are laying the foundation for growth in the future while also making sure all athletes feel comfortable being their true selves, whether inside or outside the locker room.