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is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that supports and promotes sports and recreational organizations with interests in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of the greater New York City area.

Out of Bounds advocates and actively works for the acceptance, visibility, and active participation of members of the LGBT community in professional, amateur, and recreational programs without regard to race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

Out of Bounds produces and promotes programs that focus awareness on the LGBT sports and recreational resources in the New York City region. Although the primary purpose of Out of Bounds NYC is to serve the LGBT community, all are welcome to participate.

 

Objectives
Expand awareness of LGBT sports and recreation resources through inter-group communication, events and media coverage
Actively support existing athletic organizations
Create outreach programs targeting under-represented groups
Assist in the formation of new sports and recreational environments
Establish forums for dialogue on issues in the LGBT athletic community
Promote local, national, and international sports competition
Establish communications network with similar organizations in other cities
 
OOB Board of Directors

Byrne Harrison,
President

Byrne is the Pro Bono Coordinator at White & Case LLP and a drama critic for various online sites. He has been a member of the Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club since 2002, where he has served as Vice-President and chair of various committees. Byrne has been involved with Out of Bounds as a member of the advisory council and Board of Directors for three years. Byrne is also a proud member of the Board of Team New York.

Will Smathers,
Board Member

Will is one of the co-founders of Out of Bounds, and a former President of the organization. Professionally, he is a grant administrator at New York University where he also lectures in linguistics and cultural studies. He is a former senior director of the Fulbright Program for Asia and the Pacific Rim and has lived and worked in West Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Will has been active in a variety of sports for many years, including karate, tennis, skiing, equestrian sports, and cycling. He is a member of the Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club, Front Runners NY and Fast ‘n Fab Cycling Club. He is a proud member of the Team New York Board of Directors.

Jeff Kagan,
Treasurer

Jeff is one of the co-founders of Out of Bounds. He is well known in the LGBT Sports and Recreation Community as the co-founder and Director of the New York City Gay Hockey Association as well as the co-founder of the NYC Gay Basketball League. He has co-produced Sports Ball with Amy Lesser, which raised over $50,000 for the participating groups to date. In June 2003 Jeff was the recipient of the AOL Time-Warner Andrew Heiskell Community Service Award for his volunteer work with gay & lesbian sports issues. Jeff has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, in a segment entitled "Puck Buddies" and has also been featured in Dan Woog’s book, Jocks 2, a compilation of real life accounts of the coming out experiences of gay athletes. Jeff is a proud member of the Board of Team New York.

Jenna Flateman,
Board Member

Jenna is a Senior Account Representative at the New York Press. She was DIII NCAA Champion in the 55m dash in 2003 and is currently a member of the New York Rugby club as a player, board member, and Sponsorship Coordinator. She started her rugby career at Wesleyan University in 2004 and has quickly climbed the ranks to be a member in the USA Rugby 7s pool competing nationally and internationally. Jenna is a proud member of the Board of Team New York.

Ben King,
Board Member

Benjamin King works in the funeral industry. He is also an advanced masters rower with the Hudson River Rowing Association located in Poughkeepsie, NY. Ben began his rowing career in 1992 at Northeastern University in Boston. Over the years he has competed in many regional and international regattas including the Head of the Charles, the Gay Games, and recently the first World Outgames in Montreal. He is the former Vice President of Crew New York, an LGBT rowing organization. Benjamin is a proud member of the Board of Team New York.

Michelle Wan,
Intern

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