West Virginia: Trans girl will run in girls' cross-country
LGBTQ Nation reported July 22 on a West Virginia judge's order to allow a Transgender girl to join her school's girls' cross-country team. Sixth-grader Becky Pepper-Jackson, the girl in question, sued the state last month with the help of the ACLU, claiming the state's new law barring her from participation violated her constitutional rights of equal protection under the law. The injunction issued by Judge Joseph R. Goodwin means that Pepper-Jackson will be able to participate in cross-country while her case runs its course.

Nashville: First openly Gay NHL player
The NHL posted an article on July 19 showing support for Luke Prokop, a 19-year-old prospect for the Nashville Predators who is "making NHL history" by coming out as Gay. Prokop said, "I believe that living my authentic life will allow me to bring my whole self to the rink... I hope that in sharing who I am I can help other people see that gay people are welcome in the hockey community." NHL Commissioner Bettman backed Prokop's statements, emphasizing that everyone is welcome in "the family."