Ballin’ Out is 5 episode documentary series, presented by Outsports, that follows the LGBTQ players on USA’s women’s wheelchair basketball team as they compete at the World Championships in Dubai, while simultaneously shining a light on their personal lives.
The series follows out players Courtney Ryan, Kaitlyn Eaton, and Josie Aslakson as well as assistant coach Desiree Miller and mentor/wheelchair basketball legend Stephanie Wheeler. Wheeler and Miller took the time to chat with GLAAD about the series as well as this incredible team who just won silver at the Paralympic Games in Paris!
Coach Miller spoke about what it means to her, as an out queer woman, to have so many out and proud players on the team, “It means everything. I love that we have out and proud women on the team. I love asking them about their partners, their lives, all of it.” She continues, “That “gay piece” is such a small part of them, but so big at the same time. Yes, we’re competing, but as a coaching staff we want you to be your authentic self on this team. The team chemistry is off the charts both on and off the court and it’s amazing to see that everyone wants to be around each other all the time.”
She goes on to say, “A great example of that is when Ballin’ Out was released upon our arrival in Paris. We setup a screening at the Paralympic village and were so pleased of the turnout and response from the team. Many tears were shed and it was special to witness and feel the support for each other on this squad. It’s a wonderful group.”
Wheeler couldn’t agree with Miller more. “It makes me proud, really proud. And, you know, I think first, it makes me proud of Christina (Schwab, Head Coach), and Desi (Miller, Assistant Coach) of course, for creating the space that the athletes feel that they can be all of who they are on the team. This is the environment that they’ve created. And then secondly, I’m just ecstatic for the athletes that they can compete with their whole selves and they know that, because of who they are, they can make a team better.”
Wheeler, who is a two-time gold medal winning Paralympic Basketball star, talks about the importance of the series. “Ballin’ Out is important for people to see, because I think in society we kind of have a one dimensional view of disability and don’t really ever get to see it through the eyes of folks who are disabled. We don’t get to tell our own stories and with Ballin’ Out we were given that opportunity.”
She continues, “You get a true, authentic representation of not only what it’s like to be disabled, but what it’s like to be disabled and queer and an athlete. And so, it gives a much richer description of who we are. So, if you haven’t seen it, please check it out, because it will change the way you see disability, disabled athletics and disabled queer people.”
Miller, a gold-medalist herself as well, shares that, “The growth of LGBTQ+ inclusion in culture has definitely translated to Paralympic sports. First, when I started my wheelchair basketball career, there was definitely a lack of out and proud role models. Since then, we’ve had legends like Steph Wheeler leading the way and inspiring so many others to do so as well, including myself. Being your authentic self, unlocks the version of you. During these Paralympic Games, we also notice the increase of LGBTQ+ inclusion, both on the organizational level as in media. So, I’m very pleased and hopeful with this positive evolution.”
In the series, audiences follow the team on their journey the 2023 World Championships in Dubai. Unfortunately, homosexuality is currently illegal in Dubai. Miller shares her reaction to finding out they’d be traveling to an anti-LGBTQ country and that her partner wouldn’t be able to join. “I had mixed feelings. I’m always eager to discover new cultures and explore different parts of the world, but at the same time, I was also fearful of what it would mean for me as an LBGTQ+ person to go to Dubai. We had several security briefings to get a better understanding of the local legislation and in the aftermath of that I discouraged my partner Katelyn from coming to Dubai for support, because I didn’t want that fear looming over our heads, while competing for a world championship.”
Fortunately, Katelyn was able to join her during the Paralympics. She says, “This is a big contrast to the experience here in Paris, where the organization has been very inclusive and we’ve been able to hold hands as we stroll the streets of this beautiful city.“
Wheeler shares what it would have meant to her to have had a series like Ballin’ Out when she was first getting into wheelchair basketball, “It would have meant a lot. I think maybe at the beginning of my career I didn’t know who I was. I wasn’t even considering being gay or being out or anything like that, but it could have just cleared that seed in there that who you are is enough, and you don’t have to change anything about who you are in order to excel at the sport that you love.”
She says, “I think it would have just allowed me to relax in my sport a little bit more. Since I came out and shared my story online and on social media, I’ve had a couple of young athletes thanking me for always speaking out for the young queer athletes in our league and stuff like that, so that’s been super. And I hope now that for the young people who are able to watch this series, they know that they belong in our sport and they know that this sport is for them.”
As a legend in the sport, Wheeler offers advice to any aspiring Paralympians out there. “I think one: be yourself. it’s really hard to exist in our world when you’re trying to do one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, which is trying to be a Paralympian. It’s demanding, you have to make so many sacrifices in order to achieve that dream. And if you’re trying to do that, well, being anyone other than yourself is going to make it so much harder, right? So, you know, work to be really comfortable in your own skin and who you are, because that’s only going to propel you on your way to success.”
“Lastly,” she says, “looking back, it’s wild to say it’s been 20 years since I won my first gold medal, an amazing moment which really defined that time for me. And it sounds cliche, but it really is like that gold medal gathers dust, but what remains are the connections, friendships, memories, the journey and the work I put in. So, just really live in all of that and know that each, each of those moments, you know, leads up to you being a Paralympian.”
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To close, Miller talks about the team’s journey to the final game at the Paris Paralympics where they earned a silver medal. “The semifinals game against China was incredibly intense to experience from the sidelines (laughs), but I’m so proud of the maturity and poise our women showed to close out a tough game against a very tough opponent. Ever since that buzzer sounded Christina and I have been on cloud nine (laughs), but in a few hours we’ll be fully focused again to go back to the drawing board and watch film to prepare for our matchup. We have a special group of elite athletes and Coach Christina is the perfect catalyst for these women on their journey.”
Watch Ballin’ Out on YouTube now!