Gender and Sexuality Studies

Abstract

In the ever-evolving landscape of sports, issues of gender, sexuality, and race continue to be both amplified and marginalized. As a scholar-activist and creator of SportsCrit™, I introduce a revolutionary pedagogical framework integrating Critical Race Theory, ethnic studies, and Black athlete activism to interrogate and transform sports education and practice. This keynote will explore how sports are not neutral spaces but deeply embedded sites of systemic inequities  from gendered pay disparities and media framing of women athletes to the intersectional marginalization of LGBTQ+ and non-binary athletes of color. I will challenge attendees to disrupt traditional narratives, reframe how we view power dynamics in sports and rewrite the playbook for inclusivity and equity. Through critical case studies, athlete narratives, and media analysis, this keynote will offer actionable strategies for educators, researchers, and activists to foster intersectional advocacy in athletic spaces. Join me in envisioning a sporting world where gender, race, and sexuality are not barriers but sources of strength and leadership.

Biography

Dr. Gyasmine George-Williams, affectionately known as Dr. G., is an Assistant Professor of Race, Sport, and Social Justice in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at Cal Poly Pomona in the United States. Dr. G is a scholar-activist, educator, and the visionary creator of SportsCrit™  an interdisciplinary pedagogical framework that fuses Critical Race Theory, ethnic studies, and Black athlete activism to challenge and transform racial, gendered, and power dynamics in sports. She has dedicated her career to disrupting inequities in sports education and fostering spaces where marginalized voices are centered, celebrated, and empowered. Her groundbreaking research and curriculum design has been featured in national conferences, symposia, and academic journals, including her recent works From the Field to the Frontlines: Exploring Activism Through the Lens of The Black Athlete Activist Leadership Model (BAAL) in Oxford University Press, and the Activist Tiered Systems of Support (ATSS) Framework: An Ecosystem of Care and Well-Being for Student and Athlete Activists, published in the Sport Social Work Journal. Dr. G.’s forthcoming book, Teaching the Tough Plays: The SportsCrit™ Pedagogy for Equity in Sports Education, offers educators and practitioners actionable tools to interrogate systems of oppression and cultivate liberatory spaces for athletes. Her work bridges academia, activism, and community engagement, making her a leading voice in the movement for gender and racial justice in athletics and beyond.