Let’s Get Better! USRowing’s 2020 Annual Convention, will feature a full day of diversity, equity, and inclusion training on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. We’re proud to announce that SSN Co-Founder Tara Morgan will be leading a session she’s calling Intersection of Inclusion: LGTBQIA* in Rowing. (*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual/Agender)

Representation matters when it comes to visibility and respectful interaction. Let's explore the intentional opportunities in our sport through real-time, lively conversation with LGBTQIA rowers and coaches from around the United States.

PANELISTS

JASON BEAGLE: Atlanta Rowing Club & Head of the Hooch Regatta, Para-rowing Coordinator
Jason is a para-rower and rowing coach. He learned to row at DC Strokes Rowing Club in 2007 and served as club president 2008-2010. During his tenure, DC Stokes added para-rowing to the Stonewall Regatta schedule. Rowing awards include: 2009 World Out Games in Copenhagen, Denmark (men's 8+ silver); 2010, 2011, and 2012 Head of the Charles (Gold PR3 4+); 2011 Canadian Henley (2nd place).

In January of 2012, he relocated to the Oklahoma City National High-Performance Center and was a member of the US National Paralympic Team in 2012 as an alternate in the PR3 4+ event. He retired from high-performance rowing in 2013. In the Fall of 2015, relocation to Atlanta, GA led him to the Atlanta Rowing Club. He was appointed coordinator in 2015. Under his direction, ARC has grown its outreach programs to include senior rowers, para rowers, disabled veterans (Freedom Rows), and breast cancer survivors (RowStrong).

IMRAN MALIK: Arizona State University, Varsity Coach
Imran Malik started his rowing career at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, VA during the team's first season in 2012. Upon starting school at Arizona State University, Imran trained with Rio Salado Rowing Club his freshman year and raced a Novice 1x at Southwest Masters Regionals, placing 1st in addition to placing 2nd in a Men's 4x. He joined the Arizona State team his sophomore year where he found his passion for rowing and being on a team.

In early 2015, Imran started coaching for Tempe Town Lake Rowing's junior program and also helped out with masters' learn-to-row and erg fitness classes. Upon graduating in 2016, he became the head coach for Arizona State, where the team got noticed at San Diego Crew Classic, and finally qualified and medaled at Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships in numerous events. He has goals to take as many crews as possible to larger regattas with hopes to continue to grow the rowing programs in Arizona.

BRIAN TODD: Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation, Executive Director
A California native, Brian learned to scull on Lake Merritt at age 14. He attended the University of Washington but did not row. After graduation, he joined the US Navy. He came out to his family in 1989, and returned to rowing in 1992, in San Diego. He jumped into a sweep boat for the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam. One of three founders of the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation, he has served as its Executive Director since 2003.

In his 30-year career in the Navy, on active duty and in the reserves, he endured the introduction of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and then, in command of his unit, oversaw the implementation and policies allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve openly in the US Navy with the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2010.

He has engaged with directors of national rowing federations as well as officials within World Rowing, discussing the issues faced by LGBTQ rowers.

LYSS VILLABLANCA: Renton Rowing Center, masters rower
Alyssa "Lyss" Villablanca identifies as a queer, non-binary (they/them), Filipino-American. They have been a masters rower at the Renton Rowing Center  in Renton, WA for the last 5 years, and considers themself "bisweptual" when sweeping, but has a fondness for sculling. Aside from rowing, their career has been in the software development space across multiple department functions, and their time during the pandemic has been spent volunteering as a remote math tutor, practicing classical piano, and watching sports anime.