While professional sports leagues and athletes encourage LGBTQ participation through initiatives like the You Can Play Project and Athlete Ally, a study published by The University of British Columbia researchers found that lesbian, gay and bisexual teens are playing sports less than they did 15 years ago.
“In every year we measured, LGB youth were about half as likely, or even less (likely), to participate in coached sports than straight youth were,” said Elizabeth Saewyc, the study’s co-author and a professor at UBC. “And unfortunately, that gap has persisted and even widened over time.”
The researchers surveyed nearly 100,000 kids from grade 7–12 in British Columbia, showing that although all youth sports participation was falling, it is more pronounced among gay teens. They reported that 5 in 10 gay students played sports in 1998, but that number fell to just 3 in 10 in 2013. Teens surveyed said that they felt formalized sports were still unwelcoming to LGBTQ athletes, with baseball, football, basketball, and soccer having three times more homophobic attitudes than swimming, track, or racket sports.
The authors wrote that while leagues’ efforts to be more inclusive and to penalize slurs has been helpful to destigmatize gay athletes, the lack of professional sports role models has hurt the cause. But most importantly, more grassroots efforts need to be made to increase participation; efforts that, they write, “address the specific needs of gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens and may need to provide supportive training for parents, coaches, and educators to navigate issues of homophobia and inclusion in sports.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.