Quantcast
skip navigation

Grasping new-found pride brings freedom, complexity for gay Minneapolis lacrosse coach

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 04/22/19, 8:30PM CDT

Share

Since Aron Lipkin came out publicly last fall, he’s found mostly support and also a new awareness of derogatory behavior that can permeate the sports culture.


Minneapolis boys’ lacrosse coach Aron Lipkin gave instruction to his team at a practice last week at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis. Photo: RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII • richard.tsong-taatarii@startribune.com

One scrimmage into the Minneapolis boys’ lacrosse season this spring, his first as an openly gay man, coach Aron Lipkin faced the complexities of going public.

Lipkin watched with surprise as one of his veterans repeatedly stick-slashed an opponent, eventually earning a penalty. Later in the game, an assistant told Lipkin, “Coach, he was standing up for you.”

When Lipkin asked his player what happened, he told his coach the other player had used a gay slur to describe the Minneapolis players.

A curious rather than furious mindset overcame Lipkin, 35, who came out on Oct. 11 on Facebook and shared his story a month later with the website outsports.com.

Click here to read the full story.

Lacrosse Hub Headlines