his opponent, willing himself to
victory.
It has paid off. When he won the
2022 Australian Open, Rafa earned
his 21st Grand Slam singles title—
the most of any male tennis player in
history.
I admire athletes who push
themselves to the limit, and I’m
absolutely inspired every time Rafatakes the court. There’s something
to be learned from watching
his determination, his strategy,
everything that it takes for him to
never take any moment for granted.
He’s forever going to be remembered
as one of the very best athletes in all
of sports.Brady is a seven-time NFL championNadine Smith
Equality’s advocateEquality’s advocate
B Y K R I S T E N A R N E T TB Y K R I S T E N A R N E T TIn the fi ght for equality in Florida, In the fi ght for equality in Florida,
there has perhaps been no greater there has perhaps been no greater
advocate for LGBTQ people than advocate for LGBTQ people than
Nadine Smith. For over 30 years—Nadine Smith. For over 30 years—
most recently as the executive most recently as the executive
director of Equality Florida—Smith director of Equality Florida—Smith
has worked tirelessly to safeguard has worked tirelessly to safeguard
our rights and elevate our voices, our rights and elevate our voices,
combatting discrimination in combatting discrimination in
employment, housing, and many employment, housing, and many
other areas. Smith comes from other areas. Smith comes from
a family with a strong civil rights a family with a strong civil rights
background and has consistently background and has consistently
chosen to defend those who are chosen to defend those who are
the most vulnerable in our state the most vulnerable in our state
and across the country. She is a and across the country. She is a
Black, queer woman who has regu-Black, queer woman who has regu-
larly spoken out about discrimina-larly spoken out about discrimina-
tion and biases against LGBTQ tion and biases against LGBTQ
people when others have stayed people when others have stayed
silent. With Equality Florida, she silent. With Equality Florida, she
led the charge against the “Don’t led the charge against the “Don’t
Say Gay” bill, fi ghting its enactment Say Gay” bill, fi ghting its enactment
through a major civil rights lawsuit through a major civil rights lawsuit
as well as a powerful television as well as a powerful television
and social media ad campaign and social media ad campaign
highlighting the potential impacts highlighting the potential impacts
in classrooms. Nadine Smith in classrooms. Nadine Smith
refuses to give up in the fi ght for refuses to give up in the fi ght for
equality. Her work is an inspiration equality. Her work is an inspiration
for LGBTQ organizations around for LGBTQ organizations around
the world, providing a blueprint the world, providing a blueprint
on how to make progress for our on how to make progress for our
communities through strong com-communities through strong com-
mitment and perseverance. She mitment and perseverance. She
is a powerhouse, a champion of is a powerhouse, a champion of
equality for everyone, and a truly equality for everyone, and a truly
incredible humanitarian.incredible humanitarian.Arnett is the author of the novels Arnett is the author of the novels
NADAL: THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX; COURTESY NADINE SMITH Mostly Dead ThingsMostly Dead Things and and With TeethWith Teeth
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