It would be an understatement to say that Kameron and Khalen Saunders have been busy the last few years. As Khalen Saunders played defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints (and later for the New York Jets) in the NFL, his brother Kameron Saunders spent 630-plus days dancing on stage alongside Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour.
And in June, Khalen and Kameron teamed up to create the first football camp geared towards LGBTQ+ youth.
On the Today Show, the brothers said they have always been close. Khalen was 7 years old when Kameron, 11, came out to their family — and he felt protective of his older brother even then.
“I hope this camp can accomplish teaching the younger generation how to be accepting and loving and empathetic of others,” Khalen said. “Because at the end of the day, loving one another is the most important thing. I feel like my No. 1 rule that I’ve always went by is, treat others as you want to be treated.”
Kameron spoke about the significance of giving kids a safe space to learn and play, “without judgment, without ridicule.”
“This camp will be the catalyst for how future generations navigate spaces — particularly male-dominated spaces — in a more loving, nurturing, caring way.”
Image via The New Orleans Saints
How to Be A Safe Adult for LGBTQ+ Youth
- Good: Use a young person’s chosen name and pronouns, and normalize pronouns by offering your own in new conversations. Creating a space where they feel seen and respected helps build a sense of trust.
- Better: Create visible safety by wearing inclusive symbols like pride flag pins and supportive T-shirts. The Trevor Project donates profits from its merchandise sales to suicide prevention. Visit thetrevorproject.org.
- Best: Volunteer with “Free Mom Hugs,” a nonprofit that supports people in the LGBTQ+ community on important occasions like pride parades, marathons, and weddings. (Dads are welcome too.) Visit freemomhugs.org.
A version of this article originally appeared in the 2025 Helpers Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Header image via The New Orleans Saints
