Embracing an Early Love for Sports
Few passions remain as compelling and enduring throughout our lives as an early love for sports. This fervor often waits, dormant, for the right moment to be rekindled, as it did for Em Nees in 2021. During a period of economic shutdowns in Ohio, Nees seized an opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"I really didn’t expect anything of it," Nees remarked. Four years later, they’ve ascended to the role of senior manager of live events and booking with the Jaguars, distinguishing themselves as one of the few openly nonbinary transmasculine individuals in a leadership position in major North American sports. Recognized for their contributions, Nees was honored in the Outsports Power 100 Rising 50 this year.
Carving a Path in the NFL
Nees' career feels like a perfect synthesis of their extensive background in live event and concert production and their lifelong connection to sports. They've played basketball, softball, and even football, where they were a running back competing against older boys. "Let’s just say I got my a** smacked," they recalled with laughter, "but I got back up every time."
This resilience is evident in Nees' current role with the Jaguars, where they actively promote LGBTQ visibility and inclusion. As the chair of the Jaguars’ LGBTQ employee resource group, Pride At Work, Nees also serves on Equality Florida’s First Coast community steering committee. Moreover, they helped organize "Bold Love Fest," an LGBTQ music festival, with support from the Jaguars organization. "Bold Love Fest" was a "dream" and "a love letter to the community in Jacksonville," said Nees.
Championing Visibility and Inclusion
For Nees, LGBTQ empowerment in sports is a deeply personal mission. "I wasn’t always out and proud," they said, reflecting on their upbringing in a small town where being out felt daunting. College at the University of Akron and Carnegie Mellon University provided the space they needed to explore their identity. They came out as gay in 2015 and later as nonbinary transmasculine in 2024, crediting their wife and therapy for supporting their journey.
"Allowing myself to be who I am made me realize I didn’t want to go back to hiding," Nees shared. They aim to inspire others, particularly in masculine-dominated sports where LGBTQ visibility has been scarce. "I hope that resonates with [young people]," they said, emphasizing the importance of being visible so others feel comfortable pursuing careers in sports.
Impacting the Community
Nees’ visibility within the Jaguars organization and the broader community is a testament to their commitment. "I attend events on behalf of Pride At Work," Nees noted, "and people express their love for the Jaguars and gratitude for our presence." This feedback affirms the necessity of being open and present in the community.
Reflecting on their personal journey, Nees likens their coming out to their youthful defiance on the football field. "At that age, I didn’t care about societal norms," they explained. "Coming out as nonbinary and transmasculine is like living for that kid again."
Em’s journey and their work with the Jaguars highlight the importance of inclusion and representation in sports, offering hope and inspiration to future generations.
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