Why is it important to be LGBTQ+ inclusive?
Participation and engagement is key to helping sports clubs, groups and organisations thrive and we can take positive actions towards inclusivity by working together.
In the UK, February is marked by the month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month. It’s an annual observance of LGBTQ+ history to coincide with the 2003 abolition of Section 28, the legislation which prevented the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ by local authorities and schools.
Discrimination and a lack of awareness are still common within sport and physical activity clubs, groups and organisations and it is clear that more needs to be done to make the sector fully inclusive. LGBTQ+ people often find participating and volunteering within a sports club or group is an intimidating experience and anxiety and fear may prevent them from fully engaging in physical activity.
Sport and physical activity is open to everyone. LGBTQ+ people are protected by the Equality Act to ensure they are given as many opportunities to get involved and as much support to get active as other people.
Covid exacerbated inequalities across the country, but these challenges can be overcome with a robust Social Mobility Action Plan or a similar LGBTQ+ inclusive policy. CIMSPA recently signed the Social Mobility Pledge. One of the key parts of the Action Plan is to continue to adopt transparent recruitment practices to promote a level playing field for people from disadvantaged groups. This goes hand-in-hand with Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy and CIMSPA’s ongoing support of this within the workforce. The growing opportunity gap can only be closed if we work together.
CIMSPA has also enrolled many of its team members on a diversity programme with our partners, Inclusive Employers – the UK’s first and leading membership organisation for employers looking to build inclusive workplaces.
What can you do to improve LGBTQ+ inclusivity?
Groups, clubs and organisations can:
- Create an LGBTQ+ policy that highlights what your business does to promote inclusivity
- Provide diversity training either internally or externally (we recommend Inclusive Employers!)
- Ensure employee benefits are equal for everyone, regardless of their protected characteristics.
There are a number of campaigns and tools employers and individuals can use too:
- Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces – make your friends and team mates feel welcome in sport by wearing Rainbow Laces
- Pride Sport’s LGBT+ Sports Club Finder – search the club map by clicking on any of the icons in the area you are interested in
- Sport England’s Non-Binary Guidance – learn about different genders in sport and physical activity.