SportingQueer

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in sport and recreation for this Olympic year

Dame Kelly Holmes, Double Olympic Champion

We partnered up with

Research from the Alliance, shows the UK lags behinds the rest of Europe in terms of activity levels, which adversely effects NHS spending, wellbeing and economic growth.

The ambition of the SRA is to make the UK the most active nation in Europe, by encouraging and enabling people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in sport and recreation.

SportingQueer complements and supports this campaign by profiling and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and their allies within sport and recreation, from grassroots to elite levels.

Using our award-winning exhibition format, we created a SportingQueer exhibition, book and campaign for change.

With the Olympics and the Paralympics this year, we wanted to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in every area of sport, dance, and healthy activities.

This unique flexible exhibition will honour LGBTQ+ people and their allies and show fans and supporters why everyone should be able to bring their whole self to the pitch, field or court. Celebrating them and the huge contribution they make and showing why diversity is the lifeblood of sport in the UK.

The first 15 portraits of the exhibition were displayed to the public at London Marathon.

The whole exhibition was launched at the TeamGB offices for Pride in June, and was displayed at Pride House at the Paris Olympics 2024. SportingQueer will then be displayed at multiple sporting venues and events across the UK.

The Athletics Pride Network

The purpose of our #SportingQueer exhibition

The #SportingQueer images and stories celebrate LGBTQ+ people and their allies. They illuminate the many different issues people face combining their personal and their sporting life – from elite athletes to recreational exercisers. By bringing these two worlds together in one photograph, we can all learn about and understand each other better. And make the world of sport a place where people feel safe to share their whole selves.

The photographs and accompanying stories raise issues around identity, cultural and societal expectations. They create a powerful sense of recognition and representation. #SportingQueer supports Diversity & Inclusion initiatives and encourages everyone to get involved in sport.

Why #SportingQueer?

There is plenty of evidence that getting involved in sport, at any level, improves both mental and physical health and strengthens bonds between families and communities.

Using the successful format of bright bold photography, with a strong narrative and a little humour, we created LGBTQ+ images and stories that connect with people who can still feel excluded in sport.

We are delighted to learn that the SportingQueer exhibition is a finalist for the Sports Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award at T he Sports Business Awards!

With a huge thank you to our main sponsor Rathbones. We couldn’t have done it without you!

80% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced homophobia in sport

Out on the Field report

55% of LGBT men are not active enough to maintain good health, compared to 33% of men in the general population.

LGBT Foundation

64% of people who identified as something other than male or female (eg gender-fluid or genderqueer) were not active enough to maintain good health.

Survey commissioned by Stonewall

Some of the images and stories from the #SportingQueer exhibition and book

Dame Kelly Holmes

Double Olympic Champion

Every individual deserves the autonomy to lead their lives authentically, standing shoulder to shoulder in unity.

In 2024, we find ourselves in an extraordinary era of open and enriching dialogues within both our communities and the realm of sports. Reflecting on my journey, where the absence of openly LGBTQ+ individuals in elite sports and the stringent regulations within the military posed significant challenges, the transformation to the present day must be applauded. It is heartening to witness the multitude of positive changes taking place.

As I celebrate the 20th anniversary of my triumph in Athens, I am filled with immense joy and a profound sense of liberation. Embracing my authentic self, I take pride in being a soldier, an athlete, and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. The key lies in acknowledging that the conversation for progress must persist.

Drawing from my experiences as a global speaker in the corporate arena, I recognise that there are intricate discussions yet to unfold to foster acceptance for all. Effective communication, transparency, and a focus on our shared humanity are paramount. Every individual deserves the autonomy to lead their lives authentically, standing shoulder to shoulder in unity. This balanced coexistence can only be achieved through ongoing dialogue and a deep respect for different opinions and perspectives.

Charlie Martin

Racing driver & LGBTQ+ activist

I think that’s a big part of why I’m so proud to be visible, and so passionate to use that visbility to inspire more awareness and acceptance, to show what is possible when you believe in yourself and stop questioning your right to be valid.

If there’s a word that resonates heavily with me, it’s visibility. It’s the primary reason I struggled for so long growing up, because the only trans women I saw growing up in the 80’s were drag queens (on television). I was convinced that I could never be the person I wanted to be and simultaneously do the things I that excited me, like flying fighter planes or racing cars.

I think that’s a big part of why I’m so proud to be visible, and so passionate to use that visbility to inspire more awareness and acceptance, to show what is possible when you believe in yourself and stop questioning your right to be valid.

Thankfully time has moved on since I was a kid, I think social media has helped empower communities and younger generations have a much more expansive world view of what is possible in life these days. I know if I’d have seen someone like me when I was 7yrs old it would have been a total game changer.

Even so, we’re living in scary times and it feels like things are sliding backwards faster than they’re moving forwards right now. I don’t believe it’s ever been more important to take a stand and make a positive impact, to push back against the transphobia and be proud to be who you are. I think that’s what this photo says, it’s me doing the thing I love, as me, and I’m proud to have overcome so much to be here with a smile on my face.

Natasha Coates

Elite Paragymnast

I stand here today, as a multiple British champion, in a relationship with a wonderful woman and most importantly, as my true self.

When I first started gymnastics at the age of eight, if you had asked me what love was, I would have said gymnastics. I loved going upside down, flipping around and leaping through the air.

Fast forward 20 years, and when I think about love now, all I can think of is my girlfriend. We actually met at an adult gymnastics class and as soon as I saw her I knew she was going to be someone special in my life.

I had been in the closet for around four years, before eventually coming out. I was so nervous to do so, especially as a Christian, but I wanted to show that regardless of your sexuality that you are deserving of love.

So I stand here today, as a multiple British champion, in a relationship with a wonderful woman and most importantly, as my true self.

Michael Gunning

Professional Swimmer and TV Host

I soon learnt that I was born to stand out and speak up for what is right, and I’ve been overjoyed hearing how many people I have inspired along the way just by being me.

Swimming has been a big part of my identity for longer than I can remember. It’s hard to explain to anyone outside the sporting bubble exactly what it’s like every day being an elite athlete. The grit and determination, the highs and lows, pushing your body through pain barriers you didn’t know existed and being part of the top 3% of people representing your country at the highest stage.

Throughout my journey, I’ve always looked like I’ve been thriving, but the truth is, it’s been a rollercoaster and those experiences made me into the strong person I am today. I was always told to do a sport I would ‘succeed’ at, and as a person of colour, swimming was not part of that stereotype. Not having many elite mixed-race role models encouraged me to suppress my sexuality, as I didn’t want to be further different from everyone else. I soon learnt that I was born to stand out and speak up for what is right, and I’ve been overjoyed hearing how many people I have inspired along the way just by being me.

Coming out in sport was liberating, as I could finally show up to training and competitions being my true authentic self and there’s no greater feeling in the world than being ‘you’. I might not have achieved all my dreams in the pool, but I’ve encouraged so many people along the way to dream bigger and not be afraid to fall; my legacy will go on and I’m so excited to see what my next chapter will hold.

Lisa on the right with her family.

Introduction from the Sport and Recreation Alliance

The Sport and Recreation Alliance serves as the independent representative body for a range of organisations across the sport and recreation sector. Our role involves uniting the sport and recreation community and assisting our members in addressing their challenges and taking advantage of wider opportunities. We act as the voice of the sector, engaging with government, policymakers, and the media to ensure our collective view is heard.

A key part of this is advocating to make sport and recreation more inclusive, diverse and accessible. We have collaborated with WeAre’s award winning photographer Fiona Freund and designer Lise Meyrick, who created this ground breaking photography exhibition - SportingQueer - to shine a light on the work our members, and the sector more broadly, are undertaking to promote diversity and inclusion, particularly for those from the LGBTQ+ community.

The perception of the LGBTQ+ community in sports within the UK has historically been influenced by stereotypes, discrimination, and limited representation. LGBTQ+ individuals can face barriers to participation, including exclusion and harassment, due to prevailing norms of masculinity and heteronormativity.

Despite these challenges, there are growing efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in sports, with initiatives aimed at challenging stereotypes, fostering supportive environments, and advocating for policy changes. Allies within the sports community play a crucial role in driving positive change, standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ athletes and working towards creating more welcoming spaces and environments for all participants.

We want to ensure that sport and recreation really is for everyone. Campaigns like SportingQueer aim to help achieve that, providing a platform to showcase and hear the stories of the incredible role models from the LGBTQ+ community within sport and recreation who, in their own way, whether it be at grassroots level or the elite arena, are making a difference.

Lisa Wainwright MBE

CEO Sport and Recreation Alliance