Pride Month 2025: USTA out front in promoting the power of LGBTQ+ visibility
On June 23, the USTA partnered with The Trevor Project and Pride Live for a panel discussion about “The Power of Visibility.” On stage at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, a conversation between Brian Vahaly, USTA Chairman of the Board and president, and Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, focused on the way in which LGBTQ+ leaders and allies can foster a more inclusive environment for youth—particularly in sports.
The event marked yet another example of the USTA’s ongoing Pride initiatives. Last year, the USTA built on its commitment to make tennis more diverse and inclusive by expanding its partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations—one of which was The Trevor Project, a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth.
As part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves, Vahaly and Black personally understand the importance of having LGBTQ+ individuals in prominent leadership positions. During the panel discussion, they both expressed how isolated they felt early on in their respective careers, when they didn’t see anyone else like them in the room.
“As an athlete, and certainly for the first 25 years of playing tennis, I was a party of one,” Vahaly said during the panel, while reflecting on his time as a former professional tennis player. “You're constantly looking around for somebody to understand, somebody to connect to, some role model to help me feel like I'm not unusual.”
Nick McCarvel, Jaymes Black and Brian Vahaly during The Power of Visibility panel at Stonewall National Monument & Visitor Center. Photo by Nicole Pereira/USTA.
Vahaly said that while coming out to the public wasn’t easy, he felt like tennis was the most welcoming sport. In his time serving on the USTA board of directors, he’s continually pushed for more LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion. During the panel discussion, he beamed while discussing the various Pride events across all of the USTA’s 17 sections, as well as the dedicated Pride celebration at the US Open.
That type of visibility is exactly what is needed for younger people in the LGBTQ+ community, Black noted. Seeing yourself reflected in superiors and peers can make the world of difference, especially at a young age.
“When I grew up, I did not see any possibility models,” said Black, who is the first Black and first nonbinary CEO of the nonprofit organization, during the panel. “Had I seen Brian or me on a stage when I was younger or on television, it would've changed my entire life. So, it’s important that we are out, that we're talking about it, that they see us.”
The Trevor Project’s focus on providing critical mental health services, combined with the USTA’s mission of “growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere,” made for a seamless collaboration, Vahaly explained.
“It’s a natural partnership,” Vahaly told USTA.com. “The USTA cares deeply about health and wellness, and The Trevor Project cares specifically about health in a community that we're trying to make feel welcomed and included in our sport. So it's an absolute no-brainer that this is a strong partnership.”
Vulnerable anecdotes, motivated exchanges and proud smiles filled the room—one that is steeped in LGBTQ+ history. The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center occupies one of the original storefronts of the Stonewall Inn, where the 1969 Stonewall Uprising forever shaped the course of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Jaymes Black and Brian Vahaly during The Power of Visibility panel at Stonewall National Monument & Visitor Center. Photo by Nicole Pereira/USTA.
The significance of the space wasn’t lost on anybody, and for the speakers, the impact was palpable.
“This space comes with a lot of energy, you can feel the history,” Vahaly told USTA.com. “There's a weight in it, and a power that comes with that. When you imagine what happened here and what that meant for my life, my ability to have children, my ability to be accepted and to feel welcomed and asked to speak in that space—it took me a little about a half hour to catch my breath when I got here.”
To watch the event in its entirety, check out the full video.
Related Articles
-
![Visit the 2025 grassroots in review page]( "A woman hitting a tennis ball during tennis clinic. Photo by Conor Kvatek/ USTA.")
2025 grassroots in reviewDecember 11, 2025As 2025 wraps up, USTA.com reflects upon some of the most impactful moments of the year in the grassroots game in America. Read More -
![Visit the USO Tournament Director page]( "Professional headshot of a man standing on a tennis court.")
USO Tournament DirectorNovember 17, 2025Butorac succeeds Stacey Allaster, who will continue serving as USTA Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, before transitioning to a strategic advisor role in May of 2026. Read More -
![Visit the USTAC Online Learning Hub page]( "A tennis coach speaks with four players on a court.")
USTAC Online Learning HubNovember 12, 2025With more than 250 on-demand videos, 1,500+ hours of instructional content and various certifications, the Learning Hub provides a scalable pathway for coaches to grow their skills and credentials. Read More
Sign up for our Newsletter
Download the USTA App
