MARTIN M

LET’S

GET VISIBLE DAY!!!

IN 2023, SPORT IRELAND AND SPORTING PRIDE HOSTED A FIRST OF ITS KIND LGBTI+ INCLUSION EVENT ON THE SPORT IRELAND CAMPUS. THIS CONSISTED OF 2 MORNING PANEL DISCUSSIONS, FIRST BEING THE PRACTITIONER PANEL WHICH GAVE THOSE INVOLVED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK THEY ARE DOING TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE LGBTI+ INCLUSION IN SPORT. THE SECOND PANEL BEING AN INDIVIDUAL PANEL FOCUSED ON THE LIVED OF EXPERIENCE IN SPORT OF LGBTI+ PEOPLE WITH A PROFILE IN IRELAND. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AN AFTERNOON ACTIVITY SESSION WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE SPORT IRELAND CAMPUS INDOOR PITCH.

This year we hosted our 2nd let’s get visible in partnership with Sport Ireland on October 19th. “Let’s Get Visible” day is a national initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity and visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community in sports. This event highlights the importance of creating safe and welcoming environments for all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The campaign encourages sports clubs, organizations, and athletes across the country to participate in inclusive activities and wear rainbow colours as a symbol of support. A key objective is to raise awareness about the challenges LGBTQIA+ individuals often face in sports, such as discrimination, lack of representation, or feeling unwelcome. By promoting visibility, “Let’s Get Visible” fosters an atmosphere of acceptance and encourages open conversations about diversity in sports settings.

A variety of multi-sport events take place on the day, ranging from team-based sports like football, rugby, and hockey to individual sports such as athletics. These events showcase the participation of LGBTQIA+ athletes and allies alike, reinforcing the message that sports are for everyone, regardless of background or identity. This inclusive approach helps to break down barriers that have historically kept many from fully participating in sporting communities.

“Let’s Get Visible” is part of Sport Ireland’s broader commitment to equality, ensuring that sports organizations at every level actively work toward inclusivity and Sporting Pride are delighted to guide them on that journey. Initiatives like this contribute to normalizing LGBTQIA+ presence in sporting arenas, emphasizing the importance of respect, teamwork, and mutual support in achieving success, both on and off the field.

Through such efforts, Sporting Pride aims to make sport an accessible and inclusive space for all individuals, promoting a future where everyone, regardless of identity, can thrive in the sporting world.

National Coming out Day!!!

Please note, this column is the opinion of the columinst and not that of GNI or Romeo & Julian Publiccations Ltd.

On October 11th I teamed up once again with my favourite partner in crime, The Honourable Lord Mayor of Belfast Micky Murray for a National Coming out Day Social, hosted in the historic setting of the Lord Mayor’s Chambers, is a landmark event celebrating LGBTQIA+ inclusion and visibility in sports. The gathering brings together key sports organizations and community leaders, highlighting Belfast’s commitment to fostering an inclusive sporting environment for all.

This meeting aimed to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for LGBTQIA+ individuals in sports, while also encouraging dialogue around the challenges they face. It was attended by a variety of sporting groups, including two very handsome special guests from Belfast Giants; Mark Cooper and Jeff Baum alongside representatives of Ulster GAA, Athletics NI and Sport NI, all of whom play a vital role in promoting equality and inclusion in their respective disciplines. These NGB’s had their first opportunities to meet and interact with members of Belfast’s 10 LGBTQIA+ Inclusive sports clubs from outdoor swimming and hiking to Rugby and Softball and all in-between, there is now an activity and space to suit the needs of every LGBTQIA+ person in Belfast.

The Belfast Giants, as one of the city’s most prominent sports teams, have been champions of inclusivity, regularly participating in events like Pride Nights and actively supporting LGBTQIA+ causes. Their presence at the social reinforces the message that professional sports teams have a responsibility to lead by example in creating inclusive spaces. Similarly, the GAA’s involvement reflects the growing commitment within traditional Irish sports to support LGBTQIA+ athletes, coaches, and fans, breaking down stereotypes and fostering acceptance within the Gaelic games community.

Athletics NI, which governs athletics across Northern Ireland, also plays a pivotal role in promoting equality. Their participation in the event underscores the importance of inclusivity at all levels of sport, from grassroots to elite competition. With the involvement of Sporting Pride, an organization dedicated to creating inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ people in sports, the event highlights the ongoing collaboration between advocacy groups and sports bodies to drive meaningful change.

Sport NI, Northern Ireland’s leading sports authority, lends its support to the event by emphasizing the need for policy-driven actions to ensure that sporting organizations adopt inclusive practices. This includes creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals and ensuring equal access to opportunities, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

In the Lord Mayor’s Chambers, the social event provides a space for athletes, officials, and community members to share experiences, network, and show solidarity with those who may be struggling with their identity in the sports world. The event reinforces Belfast’s commitment to inclusivity, making it clear that sport in the city belongs to everyone. Through events like this, the Belfast Lord Mayor’s National Coming Out Day Social serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility, support, and unity in creating a sporting culture that celebrates diversity and allows every individual to thrive and Sporting Pride would like to thank everyone who attended the event which came to a close with a group photo showing the growth and strength of this impressive community.