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He’s the first openly gay man to referee in the English professional game.
And to mark the start of #RainbowLaces
in 2019, the brilliant Ryan Atkin is on a brand-new episode of the BBC’s #LGBT Sport Podcast.
Listen: https://bbc.in/2ODWYAM
@BBCSport | @BBCSounds | @BBCMOTD
And to mark the start of #RainbowLaces
in 2019, the brilliant Ryan Atkin is on a brand-new episode of the BBC’s #LGBT Sport Podcast.Listen: https://bbc.in/2ODWYAM
@BBCSport | @BBCSounds | @BBCMOTD
Since #RainbowLaces is about amplifying LGBT voices in sport, I thought it was worth mentioning something.
For more than a year on the podcast, we’ve been telling stories from the LGBTQ community in sport.
For 69 weeks, each and every week, we’ve been shining a spotlight on it.
is about amplifying LGBT voices in sport, I thought it was worth mentioning something.For more than a year on the podcast, we’ve been telling stories from the LGBTQ community in sport.
For 69 weeks, each and every week, we’ve been shining a spotlight on it.
I’m not the only one doing it.
@jonboy79, @CydZeigler, @randyblpf, @dantrainor1 - we all do our best to get those stories out there, and I’m sure there are others as well.
But there’s not nearly enough attention that gets paid to what it’s like to be LGBT in sport.
@jonboy79, @CydZeigler, @randyblpf, @dantrainor1 - we all do our best to get those stories out there, and I’m sure there are others as well.
But there’s not nearly enough attention that gets paid to what it’s like to be LGBT in sport.
From my point of view, it’s been ridiculously hard to get to the point where we’re at, in terms of getting mainstream attention and acceptance.
And don’t get me wrong - hard is good. Hard is rewarding, and shows what you’re doing is worthwhile.
But it shouldn’t be *this* hard.
And don’t get me wrong - hard is good. Hard is rewarding, and shows what you’re doing is worthwhile.
But it shouldn’t be *this* hard.
In fact, it seems to me that the only time there’s really any mainstream attention on the LGBT experience in sport is when there’s speculation about someone’s sexuality, or when a sportsperson who isn’t LGBT says something daft about someone who is.
And that’s not good enough.
And that’s not good enough.
In fact, at a time when the sports industry is patting itself on the back about being more inclusive - and in fairness, change is happening - LGBT folk are still struggling to get a place at the table.
So, how can it change?
Simply put - bosses at the big organisations should come and talk to us, and give us the platform we need.
Journalists like myself and others who focus on the #LGBT experiences of folk in sport are brimming with stories and ideas.
We just need a chance.
Simply put - bosses at the big organisations should come and talk to us, and give us the platform we need.
Journalists like myself and others who focus on the #LGBT experiences of folk in sport are brimming with stories and ideas.
We just need a chance.
Anyway, that’s all I’ve got - so I’ll end on this.
If the stories that come out of the brilliant #RainbowLaces campaign capture your interest, remember they don’t go away when the Pride hoardings come down.
And surely they deserve more attention than we currently give them?
If the stories that come out of the brilliant #RainbowLaces
campaign capture your interest, remember they don’t go away when the Pride hoardings come down.And surely they deserve more attention than we currently give them?
