US Trail Running Conference position statement on Arkansas Anti-LGTBTQ Legislation

August 24, 2021

USTRC committed to making trail running a diverse and welcoming sport

Estes Park, CO – Active at Altitude, organizers of the US Trail Running Conference is incredibly disappointed in the passing of recent legislation that discriminates against Arkansas’s LGBTQ community. Senate Bill 354 was signed into law on March 25, 2021.

The bill is an anti-transgender bill that bans transgender women and girls from participating in sports (including extracurricular and school sports at the elementary, middle, high school and collegiate level) consistent with their gender identity. Transgender kids are kids who just want to play like any other kids, and they deserve that chance. Collegiate and professional sports organizations have had trans-inclusive policies for years without incident, and there is no reason Arkansas needs a ban on transgender participation in sports.

Diversity is a focus of the annual US Trail Running Conference and we are committed to working together with race directors, brands, trail runners and supporters, to ensure that the sport of trail running continues on a path to welcome ALL runners.

In spite of Senate Bill 354, this year’s Conference will take place in Fayetteville, Arkansas October 27-30, 2021, with the content to include specific sessions on how race directors can be more inclusive and welcome runners from LGBTQ communities. We believe it is important to bring trail runners to Fayetteville and to speak out against legislation that harms the LGBTQ community in Arkansas.

Our 2021 theme is Trail Running as a Restorative Sport. We look forward to gathering in Fayetteville, Arkansas, supporting the local LGBTQ community, and to continue to work towards achieving diversity in our sport and create a space where all are welcome. We are also grateful for the support of our presenting sponsors, Ultrasignup and Spartan Trail, and partners to include Experience Fayetteville and the American Trail Running Association.
More info:

See further details at https://ustrailrunningconference.com/

For additional details contact Event Director, Terry Chiplin, terry@ustrailrunningconference.com, or 303-304-9159.

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