PRIDE MONTH- PIPER WEIST
PRIDE MONTH
PIPER WEIST
In honor of Pride Month, we are celebrating the members of the Pacific Northwest Swimming community who proudly identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is crucial that we recognize and celebrate our differences, and by doing so, we create a stronger, more inclusive environment for everyone.
Pride Month is celebrated in June to honor the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 in New York City, a turning point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. The month's purpose is to recognize the impact of LGBTQ individuals on history, celebrate their work, and raise awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Our commitment to inclusivity ensures that every swimmer feels valued and supported. At the end of the day, we all seek a safe and uplifting environment where our shared passion for swimming brings us together. Let's unite in celebrating the diversity that strengthens our community and continue to champion the importance of acceptance and equality in and out of the pool.
This week we are recognizing Piper Weist (they/them) who is a Junior in High School and was a swimmer on Metro Aquatics, and now University Place Aquatic Club.
"To be completely honest, I needed a sport to do, and swimming was the first to come to mind. However, I stuck with it, even after COVID, and now I really enjoy it. Swimming has given me the opportunity to grow as a person and really push myself to do hard things. This has helped me in my school life and continues to help me learn more about myself. Even though swimming is a gendered sport, I haven’t found it to be degrading or insulting to be there. The community of swimmers and coaches will help you learn more about yourself without being a weight on your back."
Piper also reflected on their experiences with both swimming and track and field, noting, "Since swimming is a gendered sport, as is my other sport, track and field, sometimes it can be a little difficult to feel comfortable to be open about yourself. However, for me, it’s easier to think about the work you put into it, as well as the outcomes (PR’s). I think that even with swimming being gendered, you are still racing against yourself and trying to get your best time. It helps me to think like that, and sometimes there are meets where it’s mixed, so you do race a [not based on] gender."
For swimmers in the LGBTQ+ community, Piper's advice is to choose the best team for you and stand up for yourself if something happens. They have swum for two teams, both of which have been a great fit. The coaches are open and understanding, and the swimmers form a supportive community.
When asked how their identity as an LGBTQ+ individual intersects with their experience as a swimmer, Piper shared that it doesn’t impact their swimming much because their team has their back. The experiences related to their identity in swimming are positive, like getting pumped up with teammates for a race or training outdoors in the sun. There hasn’t been a problem with their identity, and both teammates and coaches support them.
As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s recognize the stories and contributions of LGBTQ+ swimmers in our community. Their experiences and resilience enrich the sport and inspire us all to foster an environment of acceptance and equality.
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If you are interested in joining the PNS DEI Committee reach out to DEI Vice Chair Emily at diversity@pns.org
