Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBT people have had around the world.

Why was June chosen you ask? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969.

As well as being a month long celebration, Pride month is also an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the community and judo is no different!

We have collated a number of our favourite resources to help members understand the month further whilst coaches can take advantage of some excellent UK Coaching CPD opportunities.

Coaching Opportunities

Coaching Awareness: Sexual Orientation

Understanding the barriers lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBTG) people in sport face will help you overcome any preconceptions or stereotypes you may have.

Everyone faces inequitable behaviour from time to time, but it should not affect your day-to-day life. Some members of society are marginalised because of the person they are. This can also be apparent in sport.

There are very few high-profile lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBTG) people in sport today and that is, in part, down to the attitudes of the people running, coaching and participating in sport.

By being more empathetic and understanding of all your participants, you create a more welcoming and enjoyable coaching environment.

Equity in Your Coaching

Promote equality and diversity by raising your awareness of equity and fairness issues in sport and physical activity.

Everyone should have access to sport, regardless of gender, age, race, ability, faith or sexual orientation.
This workshop will show you the best ways to make this a reality. Your tutor will give you practical advice on how to adapt your existing skills to make your coaching sessions attractive to everyone.

Further Reading

BBC Sports: Reasons to be proud of the progress made in sport

If you’ve not heard the LGBT Sport Podcast, it’s the BBC’s first and only dedicated show that shines a spotlight on amazing sporting groups and individuals that happen to have some sort of link to the LGBTQ+ community.

There have been plenty of personalities to select as guests. Pick a sport, and you’ll almost certainly find someone from the LGBTQ+ community doing great things in it.

BBC Sport: LGBT+ History Month: The best of BBC Sport’s coverage

During the recent LGBT+ History month, the BBC collated a fantastic range of resources – written articles, podcasts, videos and interviews from across the world of sport.

LGBTQ+ athletes discuss ways for sport to become more inclusive

A group of LGBTQ+ athletes, Amazin LêThị, Michael Gunning and JayCee Cooper, have appeared on a panel discussion, hosted by Athlete Ally’s director of policy and programs, Anne Lieberman, to discuss LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.

The discussion was held as part of the government’s ongoing Love is Love campaign and was hosted by the British embassy in the United States, UK in USA.

Reflecting on why they all became advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion, queer weightlifter Amazin reflected upon the racism that she faced when she first started in sport from fellow competitors and coaches, while JayCee spoke about the exclusion she faced as a trans powerlifter and gay swimmer Michael reflected on how there weren’t other LGBTQ+ role models for him to look up to in the sport.

StoneWall: 10 Tips To Step Up As An Ally to LGBT+ People In Sport

The way we get active or play sports has been challenged by social distancing and lockdowns to keep one another safe this year.

But that hasn’t stopped teams, friendship groups or individuals getting active or enjoying sport as a fan safely at home, challenging and supporting one another and remaining strong allies to their LGBT peers.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has hit everyone hard. And the impact on LGBT people has been especially significant. For LGBT people experiencing multiple marginalisation including disabled LGBT people, and Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) LGBT people, and/or LGBT people of colour (PoC), existing inequalities have been worsened. Sport is a powerful way of energising and uniting communities. Coming together to make sport everyone’s has never been more important and allies have a crucial role to play.

Youth Sport Trust: How to be an LGBT Ally in Sport

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