Hi friends! I’m Kyle Jon — a lifelong soccer player, coach, advocate, and proud member of Toronto’s LGBTQ+ sports community.

Next year, I have the incredible opportunity to travel to Valencia, Spain to compete at the Gay Games, an international sporting event celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the power of sport.

Why this matters to me:

For me, this event isn’t just about soccer — it’s about visibility. Growing up, I never saw openly gay athletes in sports. I loved the game, but I didn’t feel safe being myself no matter how much I forced myself to. So, at 18, I quit. For years I felt lost, empty, and disconnected.

Everything changed when I discovered Toronto’s LGBTQ+ soccer league. It gave me a home, a family, and a chance to rebuild my confidence and begin loving who I was again. Now, as a coach, player, and executive member of the very league that saved me, I get to create that safe, affirming space for others — something I never had.

Why the Gay Games:

The Gay Games brings together thousands of athletes from around the world, and I’ll be proud to stand on that stage representing Toronto, Canada, and our queer community. This isn’t just about playing soccer — it’s about showing the next generation of LGBTQ+ athletes that they belong.

Earlier this year, I competed with my team at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas, where we won Gold and I was honoured with the Kenyatta Scott Memorial Award for Outstanding Leadership. That same drive, passion, and commitment is what I promise to bring to the Gay Games.

What your support covers:

• ✈️ Flights to Valencia: $1500–$2000

• Accommodation: $600–$1000

• ️ Registration fees: $300

• ⚽ Equipment: $500

• ️ Living expenses: $500–$1000

How you can help:

Every contribution — big or small — brings me one step closer to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whether it’s the cost of a shoe or part of a plane ticket, it directly helps me represent Canada’s queer sports community on the international stage.

Thank you for supporting me and my story. Your generosity means the world — not only to me, but to every queer athlete dreaming of seeing themselves in sport.

With gratitude,

Kyle Jon