Cricket's Lauren Winfield-Hill On LGBTQ+ Inclusion In Sport
England cricketer Lauren Winfield-Hill has said the presence of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces at an England men’s match is a “significant step” in the right direction to increase inclusivity in the game.
But the Stonewall ambassador said she believes inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in cricket is a “work in progress,” according to News Headlines UK.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is supporting the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign for the fifth consecutive year to make “cricket a safe and welcoming sport for members of the LGBTQ+ community.” The iconic rainbow laces have become a symbol of inclusion in sports and fitness.
The Rainbow Laces campaign is part of ECB’s Raising The Game banner and from August 25 to 28, players participating in matches will be offered the laces. This includes the quarter-finals of the Royal London Cup, five game days of The Hundred and, for the first time, England’s men’s Test match against South Africa at Emirates Old Trafford.
The rainbow laces this year include the original design as well as laces for lesbian, bi, pan, ace, trans, and non-binary flags.
Along with offering lace to wear, the ECB also made pride flags, bunting and hats available to recreational cricket clubs to help them mark the campaign. According to the ECB, almost 200 clubs have requested their own Rainbow Laces activation packs.
Winfield Hill said: “We want to make cricket welcoming to everyone, but first and foremost we need to stand up for the company so that we are who we are, what we do, and that it is fully embraced, allowing people to be authentic no matter what space they are located. entered.”
For the first time, England’s men’s team has dedicated a Test match to improving the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. The August 25 match will feature rainbow stumps, bowl signage, on-screen information, and prominent players from the team showing their support for the cause.
The 32-year-old pondered Major League Soccer player Josh Cavolo, who came out last October and recently said he’s “speechless” can express his frustration after he was subjected to homophobic abuse during a match. She said: “Josh has made global news and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are potentially men across the country at various levels who don’t feel comfortable in that space."
Winfield Hill also said she believes that women are “a little more open to vulnerability” and therefore may be more open about coming out.
A fan-led support group called Pride In Cricket was formed this year and is working with the ECB, who are now looking to create a nationwide LGBTQ+ England Cricket Supporters Group.
Last year, two other fan-led groups – Birmingham Unicorns CC and Graces CC – played in what is believed to be the first cricket match between two exclusively LGBTQ+ cricket clubs.
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