Team DC sat down with Nam Nguyen, volunteer and cheerleader with Cheer DC, to get his thoughts and perspective of what it means to be LGBTQ+ and an active sports team member.

Team DC: How long have you played the sport or participated in the activity of your Team DC member club?

Nam Nguyen: I’ve been cheering for 14 years, and I have volunteered with Cheer DC for four years!

TDC: When did you first start playing/participating?

NN: 2016

TDC: What advice do you offer LGBTQ+ youth who are interested in your sport/activity?

NN: Cheerleading is not the “rah rah sis boom bah” everyone used to think it was. It is a sport that takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get it right! But, with Cheer DC, you get to do the sport but also raise money for a better cause! In the end, we are fundraisers and volunteers first, and cheerleaders second!

TDC: What is your favorite part of being a member of an LGBTQ+ team?

NN: Meeting all the wonderful people I have met and getting to do what I love in the Pride parade!