Brian Sims

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In 2000, Brian Sims was the captain of the Bloomsburg University football team in northeast Pennsylvania, and following the greatest season in the Division II school’s history he did the unthinkable: he came out of the closet! In doing so, the regional All-American and team captain became the only openly gay college football captain in NCAA history and the most notable college player to ever come out.

Following a trip to the National Championship, and after 12 seasons of winning football, Sims, a high school and college football champion, packed up his cleats and went to law school. Now, 9 years after his record-setting and unimaginable season, Sims is an LGBT advocate and successful policy attorney, living and working in Philadelphia.

His story was detailed recently by OutSports and became an instant success. To date, Sims’ story has been featured by Gay.com, TheAdvocate.com, and numerous newspapers, prompting literally hundreds of personal responses from athletes, coaches, parents and allies in over 30 states and 15 countries!

Sims is currently the Staff Counsel for Policy & Planning at The Philadelphia Bar Association. He works with the Chancellor, Executive Director & Board of Governors to pursue and implement the legislative and policy agenda of the Association.

In addition to his practice, Sims serves as the President of the Board of Directors of EqualityPA and as the Chairman of GALLOP (Gay & Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia). In 2009 he was selected as a State Political Leaders Fellow by the Center for Progressive Leadership and joined the National Campaign Board of The Victory Fund

Currently the Managing Editor of the Bar’s newest publication, UponFurtherReview, he has also served as the Legal Editor of M.D. News Magazine and as an Associate Editor of The Philadelphia Bar Reporter.

Although no longer playing football, Sims has remained an avid athlete and regularly competes in marathons and triathlons across the region. He is also a member of the Undine Boat Club on Philadelphia’s famed Boathouse Row.