Academy Forum: Women & LGBTQ+ in Sports with Susan Slusser & Christina Kahrl

Join us for a unique conversation with two outstanding women sports journalists from the San Francisco Chronicle, sportswriter Susan Slusser, and Christina Kahrl, sports editor. Learn about Susan's and Christina's stories as they rose to the top of the ranks in a field traditionally dominated by men, and their thoughts about the evolution of how LGBTQ+ athletes, fans, and media are received in the world of professional sports. 

This event is co-sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Times

6:30pm — Doors Open

7:00pm — Program Begins

TO ATTEND

Academy Forum events are open to all. Please reserve your general admission spot for this limited-capacity indoor event.

TICKETS

• Academy Members FREE
• $20 Non-Member

MEMBERSHIP

The Academy is currently accepting new memberships. If you are interested in becoming a Member and enjoying all of the associated perks and benefits, please click here to learn more.

ABOUT SUSAN SLUSSER

A graduate of Stanford University, Susan Slusser has worked at the San Francisco Chronicle since 1996, and is currently the San Francisco Giants beat writer. She was the first woman to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The National Sports Media Association named Slusser and fellow Chronicle sports writer Ann Killion co-California Sportswriters of the Year in 2019. In 2017, Slusser won a Northern California Area Emmy for her work on "SportsTalk Live: Women in Sports Media". She has also won recognition from the San Francisco Press Club, the Peninsula Press Club, and the Association for Women in Sports Media.

ABOUT CHRISTINA KAHRL

Christina Kahrl is the sports editor of the Chronicle. She joined the sports staff in 2021 after 10 years at ESPN.com, where she was initially a Major League Baseball writer and editor before becoming a senior editor for MLB coverage in 2016, managing ESPN’s Insider subscription digital content for MLB. In 2020, she moved into a role as a senior editor on ESPN’s multi-sports night desk, managing writers and editors in the reaction space. She was also an associate editor of ESPN’s Pro Football Encyclopedia.

Before joining ESPN, she was one of the cofounders of the baseball analytics think tank Baseball Prospectus in 1996, ultimately becoming the executive editor as well as a columnist, and the managing editor of its bestselling annual season guide. In her management role, she helped launch the careers of multiple baseball journalists as well as two MLB general managers.

She was also the acquisitions editor for Brassey’s Sports, focusing on sports analytics and history in baseball, pro football, basketball, motor sports, golf and tennis. She has also written for SportsIllustrated.com, Cosmopolitan, Playboy, Salon.com, Slate, the New York Sun and the Washington Blade.

She returned to California having left to get a bachelor’s degree in modern European history at the University of Chicago and then a master’s degree in public history at Loyola University of Chicago.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and food items are available for purchase. Our menus can be found here. Academy Social Club Members receive certain beverages complimentary. Ask your bartender or host for details.

CLUB INFORMATION (FOR MEMBERS)

The Club will also be open during regular hours for Members and their guests not attending this event.

SAFE SPACE

The Academy is a safe space for all—in particular members of our LGBTQ+ community. We encourage you to learn more about our safe space principles & policies by clicking here.

ACCESSIBILITY

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. The event venue has an accessible entrance and restroom facilities. Please contact us if you have questions or specific requests regarding access.