People often say that low-level banter doesn’t matter and phrases such as That’s so gay for many is acceptable. However, there is now plenty of evidence that young people hear this and their views about sport are affected by this.
We only need to look at:
♦ Tom Daley – Diving, Olympic Bronze medal winner
♦ Alan Hansord – Cricket
♦ Casey Stoney MBE – ‘ Football Captained Britain’s World Cup team
♦ Kate Richardson-Walsh – Hockey and GB women’s captain. Bronze medal winners in 2012 London Olympics
♦ Keegan Hurst – Rugby League
♦ Nicola Adam, MBE – Boxing, Gold medal winner at London 2012 Olympics, first woman to win a boxing title.
♦ Kelly Maloney – Boxing Promoter
♦ Sophie Cook – Bournemouth AFC Official Photographer.
You might well ask, if LGBT sports people are doing so well in sport now, why do we need LGBT sports sessions and LGBT sports clubs?
♦ Firstly, LGBT inclusive or specific sports clubs encourage LGBT people to play sport.
♦ Secondly, no matter how much of an inclusive policy sports clubs have, we still get asked questions that assume we are straight.
A local gay man recently told me when he first moved to Brighton and joined a running club, he was asked if he had met any nice girls yet! We have to come out each time we meet new people in sport – and it can be wearing!!! Even the most well-meaning mainstream sports clubs can be inaccessible to us without them realising it.
It’s not just homophobia, biphobia and transphobia though – the Kick It Out campaign shows us just how much racism still pervades sports events, Just A Ball Game shows how homophobia affects football. The This Girl Can campaign by Sport England showed us just how difficult it is for women to challenge stereotypes and get involved in sport.
Here in Brighton we have several clubs and societies that aim to create an inclusive sporting environment for all LGBT people to be themselves.
BLAGSS is a Brighton and Hove based sports and social group that has around 400 lesbian, gay, bi and transgender (LGBT) members from across Brighton and Hove, Sussex and beyond.
They aim to encourage LGBT people to get active and play sport: thus enriching their lives, promoting health and fitness and developing sporting talent in the LGBT community. A bi-product of going along to BLAGSS events is meeting others and forming friendships.
There is no typical BLAGSS ‘type’. Members are all different shapes, sizes, ages and abilities, and participate in sports as varied as badminton, football, golf, cycling (and many, many more). All sports at BLAGSS are run by volunteers. Hardworking Sports co-ordinators arrange times, venues, coaches, matches etc. There is no ‘corporate BLAGSS’ – just a small team of volunteers on the committee that oversees the work of the society.
And it’s not just about sport; with around 700 different sporting and social meetings each year, BLAGSS is a great way to meet people, keep fit, and have fun.
How do you find out about what’s on offer?
Just log on to their website www.blagss.org and have a look at all the sports sessions available. If you like what you see, it costs £15 to join BLAGSS for a year and you can go along to any of their sporting sessions. Some sessions have a fee attached – for court or pitch hire, and sometimes to pay the coach, but all this information is on the website.
Everyone is very friendly, love meeting new people, so go along and join in.
Sports available at BLAGSS include:
♦ Badminton – Meets on Thursdays for those who have played before. Beginners are encouraged to go along on the first Thursday of the month. Open to all LGBT people, you just need a racquet and indoor shoes. email: badminton@blagss.org
♦ Cricket – Street Cricket is a new sport in BLAGSS. They will be establishing a series of training sessions during the spring and summer, leading to a LGBT cricket tournament in the summer. The team is open to all LGBT people and you won’t need cricket whites, but good trainers in which you can run are essential. email: cricket@blagss.org
♦ Cycling – Rides are arranged throughout the year – usually at weekends. They range from short social rides (usually involving cake) to longer rides of about 35 – 40 miles. The rides are open to all LGBT people – just pick the distance that’s best for you. You will need a bicycle, helmet and lock. email: cycling@blagss.org
♦ Football – Thursday night is the regular indoor football at Brighton College. There are two sessions: 6-7pm PROS (pretty physical and competitive) and 7-8pm VIRGINS (gentler but still with a competitive edge). Both sessions are mixed by gender and if unsure of your ability go along to a virgins session first. Indoor trainers are essential. Matches arranged at weekends against other clubs. email: football@blagss.org
♦ Golf – BLAGSS Golf is a LGBT golf society, with a range of golfers from beginners to low handicappers. They are, friendly and supportive, regardless of your ability and just want more LGBT people to play golf! Annual lessons for beginners and improvers are arranged. You will need a playing shirt with a collar and golf shoes. Clubs are provided for beginner lessons. email: golf@blagss.org
♦ Orienteering – BLAGSS works with Southdown Orienteers using maps and compasses to navigate routes on the South Downs. email: orienteering@blagss.org
♦ Petanque – Meets weekly on Thursdays during the summer months to play this version of French Boules. Absolute beginners can go along, all equipment can be provided. Comfortable clothes are needed. email: Petanque@blagss.org
♦ Running – Meets every Saturday morning in Preston Park. In the summer weeks there is an additional run in the evening at Stamner Park. They offer varied running and circuit training session to suit all abilities followed by coffee and cake! You will need suitable clothing, and shoes you can run in. email: running@blagss.org
♦ Squash – Mixed intermediate level squash currently offered on Tuesday evenings using glass backed courts. Everyone is welcome to join – whatever your current playing level. Indoor shoes and a squash racquet are needed. email: squash@blagss.org
♦ Table Tennis – is a very friendly but competitive group that was playing at King Alfred Centre, but is looking for a new home. All levels of players will be welcome at the new home. email: tabletennis@blagss.org to find out where they will be playing in future.
♦ Tennis – Play every Sunday (weather permitting), new players are very welcome. Other sessions are also organised. You must be able to serve and maintain a rally. They play competitively in the local Parks League, Gay Games and EuroGames tournaments. email: tennis@blagss.org
♦ Tennis Virgins – Play every Wednesday. It is a perfect place for those who have not played tennis in a while or for those who do not feel they have the skills or confidence to join the main BLAGSS Tennis group yet. email: tennisvirgins@blagss.org
♦ Ten Pin Bowling – Play fortnightly on Tuesdays. This is a social, rather than competitive group who enjoy a couple of good games then a social drink! All equipment can be hired from the Bowling Alley. email bowling@blagss.org
♦ Walking – Organise a series of different walks with different challenges in the local area. Saturday walks tend to be shorter, Sunday walks 7 miles or so. There are also walking weekends arranged during the summer months. Go along to the friendly Friday evening walks in the summer – a great way to relax and unwind after a long week, and make friends too. email: walking@blagss.org
♦ Yoga – is a great counterbalance to other sports. Many international sportsmen and women now practice Yoga to maintain and enhance their competitive performance. You need loose/comfortable clothing , a towel to lie on and something warm to wear afterwards. email: yoga@blagss.org
International LGBT sports events are now well established and form an important part of the annual LGBT calendar of events.
Coming international LGBT Sports events include:
EuroGames 2016
The 16th EuroGames event will be held in Helsinki and the neighbouring cities of Vantaa and Espoo from Wednesday June 29 to Saturday July 2 and is being hosted by HOT Helsinki Sports Club.
There will be at least 14 different sports disciplines including: badminton, basketball, bowling, bridge, dancing, floorball, football, golf, squash, swimming, tennis, track and field, cross-country running and volleyball. Non-competitive sporting events such as yoga will also be featured. BLAGSS football team will be representing Brighton & Hove along with golfers, runners and tennis players.
More than 3,000 athletes are expected to register along with 2,000 visitors from all over the world including neighbours Russia and the Baltic states. Helsinki Pride takes place during EuroGames from June 27 – July 3.
For more information, click here:
World Out Games 2017
Thousands of athletes, spectators and thought leaders from around the globe will converge on Miami for World OutGames IV from May 26 to June 4, 2017 The 10-day event will bring to life more than 450 events across three areas: Sport, Culture and Human Rights. World OutGames Miami will challenge you physically, stimulate you intellectually and enliven you emotionally. Be part of it all, and leave transformed for the better – in your mind, your body and your heart.
For more information, click here:
Gay Games 2018
The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) is the sanctioning body of the Gay Games which was founded in 1982 by Tom Waddell, after he dealt first-hand with the prejudice towards gay athletes and their inability to openly participate in sporting events. FGG is founded on the principles of “participation, inclusion, and personal best” and continues to support the LGBT community not only through the Gay Games but through scholarships for underprivileged members. FGG continues to expand throughout the world and accepts members of any sexual orientation and nationality to participate in the games or contribute. The 10th Edition of the Gay Games will be staged in Paris, France from August 4-12, 2018, where 15,000 athletes from over 70 countries are expected to take part in 35 sporting disciplines.
For more information, click here: