Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Gay race-car driver Zach Herrin on industry, historic partnership with Lambda Legal
by Andrew Davis
2023-02-26

This article shared 3738 times since Sun Feb 26, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


NASCAR driver Zach Herrin has announced a partnership with Lambda Legal, a national organization aimed at achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV through litigation and public advocacy.

Adding to the significance of this historic partnership is the fact that Herrin is one of the few openly gay drivers on the NASCAR circuit.

The partnership recently debuted during the weekend of the Daytona 500 (Feb. 18-19) that took place in Florida—a state that has several anti-LGBTQ+ statutes (including the so-called "Don't Say Gay" Law) that Gov. Ron DeSantis has backed.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Windy City Times: So the Daytona 500 took place last weekend. What role did you play? Did you drive in the main race?

Zach Herrin: So I race in NASCAR's ARCA [Automobile Racing Club of America] Menards series [stock-car racing]. So under NASCAR's brand banner, you have the Cup series, which includes the Daytona 500; the NASCAR Xfinity series; the NASCAR Truck series; and the NASCAR ARCA Menards series. We are a new developmental series that NASCAR recently purchased about two years ago; it's for younger drivers like myself who are looking to break into the [upper tier].

It was a great time for someone like myself to be part of the Daytona 500 weekend. It's a massive event from Wednesday through Sunday, with huge fan attendance. Our race actually took place on Saturday [Feb. 18]; our race was 300 miles less than the Daytona 500 but we still did 200 miles, running 80 laps. It was a hot, long one.

WCT: You left the world of racing for a decade and recently returned. Why did you leave, and what compelled you to come back?

ZH: What brought me to make my professional debut at 16 was that my life had been so sped up at that point. It was a hobby that turned into a dream and a career for my family; I have an older brother [Josh Herrin] who has gone on to have a massively successful career in professional superbike racing.

I never had the opportunity to focus on my mental health and this part of my identity that I always felt was there. But growing up in this industry, I never found someone that I could connect or identify with. It's a very challenging industry, and it's very difficult for people of [different] sexual orientations or gender identities as well as people of color to find representation in [it].

And I was already having issues, as I was just breaking into my professional career. Ultimately, I just said, "I'm done with this. I just need to step back and focus on me and who I am before I can find my internal happiness again and go down this career path." Through that period, I was able to grow with this identity that was always there and led me to coming out to my family and friends.

Now, I've been able to grow into this person. I know how I want to be perceived and express myself as a gay man in today's world. But another part of me—being an athlete—was missing again. In December 2021, I said on social platforms, "This is who I am and I'm going to chase my dream. I'm going to put it all together and I don't know how—but we're going to figure it out together."

WCT: You mentioned that this industry can be rough.

ZH: What separates motorsports from your standard stick-and-ball sports is that we have such a small niche of people to begin with; to find acceptance in this industry is one of the challenges we face. And there really hadn't been anyone else before me doing this, so I'm creating a space for myself and LGBTQ fans; it's making an impact, even though it may be small. [Writer's note: Stephen Rhodes was acknowledged to be the first openly gay NASCAR driver when he debuted in 2003, but there have been very few LGBTQ+ drivers.]

NASCAR has reached out to me, asking, "How can we help you? How can we grow in the right direction together?"

WCT: Tell me how the partnership with Lambda Legal happened.

ZH: I'll be very honest: Partnerships and sponsorships are extremely important in our sport, and it's a very expensive sport. It can't be done unless you have family funding to get you to this point. It's just not feasible.

So someone like me is always striving to find brands that are willing to support an out athlete in today's America. To many, marketing to the LGBTQ+ community is only relevant one month out of the year and everything is put in the closet until it's trendy to make sale dollars.

I reached out to Lambda Legal because I know what it does for our community. I saw a good opportunity, specifically with this race taking place in Florida. The "Don't Say Gay" bill is being replicated across the country and it's a very challenging time for LGBTQ+ people—especially youth. As one who felt silenced—especially in a sport I love so much—I was wondering, "How can I help out here?" I want to help LGBTQ+ youth chase the dreams they want.

WCT: Where do you see the Lambda Legal partnership going?

ZH: What we want to do is really drive this message across the country. We're kind of at a standing point right now with my on-track schedule. In the best situation, I secure additional partnerships and funding to have the schedule that we want together. I'll be going to locations across the country that are challenging our community, like Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio and Arizona. We're going to be bringing the fight directly to them if we're able.

WCT: If you could talk with Gov. DeSantis, what would you say to him?

ZH: That's a good question. I think the right answer for me, with my career path, is that I'm trying to not create a political divide. I know where a lot of the current fan base would stand. I'm trying to paint the prettiest picture to say what I'm here to do but, respectfully, I'll just agree to disagree with their statements and beliefs.

I know I'm creating change. There's some discomfort but there's also new comfort coming into this sport because of it. Once there's a more solid platform for me to amplify my message, we'll continue pushing. We're doing what we can.

WCT: Also, please talk about your involvement with [the LGBTQ+ motorsport organization] Racing Pride.

ZH: Racing Pride is based in the UK and, last year, it expanded into North America. They see a lot more inclusivity and presence among motor sports in Europe. Their efforts to expand here were to help, in any way possible, a more inclusive spot in North America. We're trying to see how we can make that work; we have to work with the series to continue pushing the envelope here. We do have some pretty exciting things lined up with Racing Pride.

WCT: You mentioned youth earlier. What's your advice to that younger LGBTQ+ person who may want to get involved in race-car driver or other motorsports?

ZH: First and foremost, they need to remove the thoughts that they're in a box; the box is broken now. Go beyond it. Your dreams are limitless; all it takes is hard, relentless work. It's eventually going to happen.

I think as we see motorsports continue to grow with this new generation—a more diverse generation—I think it's going to be more accessible. I think LGBTQ+ youth will be in a better place but we're going to continue fighting for them.

More information on Lambda Legal is at www.lambdalegal.org .


This article shared 3738 times since Sun Feb 26, 2023
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Red Stars start season with 2-0 win
2024-03-17
On March 16, the Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and ...


Gay News

College athletes sue NCAA over transgender policies
2024-03-15
Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among a group of college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on March 14, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas ...


Gay News

SPORTS Red Stars prepare to kick off NWSL season against Utah Royals
2024-03-15
It's been a busy winter for the Red Stars, and it's time to put their work to the test. Following a last place finish in the 2023 NWSL season, Chicago has had an active offseason transforming ...


Gay News

Howard Brown experts discuss advocacy and allyship for Chicago's trans community
2024-03-14
By Alec Karam - Howard Brown Health's Trans & Gender Diverse People's Rights & Patient Care panel convened March 12 to discuss both resources for—and opportunities to provide allyship to—the city's trans and gender diverse communities. The event hos ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release 2024 roster
2024-03-13
CHICAGO (March 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced today their final roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The club's roster is bolstered by an array of experience brought not ...


Gay News

Howard Brown Health faces October trial if settlement isn't reached with union
2024-03-13
Howard Brown Health could go to trial over unfair labor practice allegations if the LGBTQ+ health center doesn't reach a settlement with its agreement soon. Chicago's regional director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed ...


Gay News

No 'explanations' needed: Affinity remains a haven for Chicago's Black queer community
2024-03-12
Back in 2007, Anna DeShawn came out while she was studying for her undergraduate degree. At around the same time, she searched online for "Black lesbians in Chicago." Her search led her to Affinity Community Services, ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release midfielder Jill Aguilera
2024-03-12
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 11, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera. "I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars," said general manager, Richard Feuz. "Over her ...


Gay News

Longtime LGBTQ+-rights activist David Mixner dies at 77
2024-03-12
On March 11, longtime LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activist David Mixner—known for working on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign but then splitting from him over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT)—died at age 77, The Advocate reported. ...


Gay News

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund remembers co-founder David Mixner
2024-03-12
--From a press release - Today, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker released the following statement on the passing of LGBTQ+ civil rights activist and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund co-founder David Mixner: "Today, we lost David Mixner, a founding ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted's signature Human First Gala to return
2024-03-11
--From a press release - CHICAGO, IL — Center on Halsted's signature Human First Gala will be held on Saturday, April 20 at The Geraghty. The gala brings together LGBTQ+ community members and allies for an evening of celebration to recognize ...


Gay News

Center on Halsted celebrates Dreams of Drag
2024-03-11
On March 9, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., in partnership with the Ralla Klepak Foundation, presented the Dreams of Drag Spring Cohort Class of 2024. The event featured performances from a class of new ...


Gay News

Trans golfer banned from competing
2024-03-08
Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out on Instagram after the NXXT Women's Pro Tour suddenly announced on March 8 (International Women's Day) that participants must be "a biological female at birth" in order to compete—banning D ...


Gay News

Affinity Community Services' Latonya Maley announces departure
2024-03-06
Latonya Maley, executive director of Affinity Community Services, announced March 6 that she would be stepping down from her post. The announcement came from a statement with Affinity board members. Maley said that, "It has been ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth
2024-03-06
Press release - CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of draftee and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth. Nesbeth, Chicago's first-round and tenth overall draft pick in the 2024 National ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.