lea robinson
educator
Race, Sexuality, and Gender Identity in Athletics
"Remember, there are two things that keep us oppressed: them and us. We are half of the equation."
-- --Lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., speaking
from the stage of the Millennium March on
Lea Robinson's coaching experience includes Newbury College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, UW-Milwaukee, Morehead State University, Southern Illinois University, and Murray State University.
A queer-identified, African-American woman, Robinson has observed young women in sports struggling with their athleticism and attempting to prove their femininity (or, heterosexuality) through actions that support body image issues and encourage homophobic behavior. Her own struggles with gender identity, homophobia and racism in sports have encouraged her to come out as a lesbian, and act as an ally and mentor. As a student-athlete, she enjoyed a successful career as a four-year letter winner at Western Kentucky University, playing in the 1991-1992 NCAA Final Four as a National Championship runner-up and earning a B.A. in Psychology. She continues to serve on panels and encourages dialogue surrounding the intersectionality of racism and homophobia in sports through work with It Takes a Team! and The National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Robinson also served an Administrative Assistant for the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences at Harvard University before deciding to return to graduate school. She recently received an M.Ed in Foundations of Education from Suffolk University, with a research focus is creating safe spaces for LGBTQ students, faculty and administrators in Higher Education.
She currently serves at the Assistant Director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Manager of LGBTQ Advising and Programming at Columbia University. She resides in New York City with her partner, Elizabeth and their small tribe of pets.
A queer-identified, African-American woman, Robinson has observed young women in sports struggling with their athleticism and attempting to prove their femininity (or, heterosexuality) through actions that support body image issues and encourage homophobic behavior. Her own struggles with gender identity, homophobia and racism in sports have encouraged her to come out as a lesbian, and act as an ally and mentor. As a student-athlete, she enjoyed a successful career as a four-year letter winner at Western Kentucky University, playing in the 1991-1992 NCAA Final Four as a National Championship runner-up and earning a B.A. in Psychology. She continues to serve on panels and encourages dialogue surrounding the intersectionality of racism and homophobia in sports through work with It Takes a Team! and The National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Robinson also served an Administrative Assistant for the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences at Harvard University before deciding to return to graduate school. She recently received an M.Ed in Foundations of Education from Suffolk University, with a research focus is creating safe spaces for LGBTQ students, faculty and administrators in Higher Education.
She currently serves at the Assistant Director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Manager of LGBTQ Advising and Programming at Columbia University. She resides in New York City with her partner, Elizabeth and their small tribe of pets.
