Kelly Holmes and Josh Cavallo champion 'Proud Pledge' for LGBTQ+ inclusive sports

Stonewall, the prominent LGBTQ+ equality charity, has inaugurated a new phase for its widely recognized Rainbow Laces campaign, broadening its scope from primarily football matchday visibility to encompassing a diverse array of fitness and community sports environments across the United Kingdom. This revitalized initiative aims to cultivate more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals within sport.

Rebranded with the tagline #MoveWithPride, the campaign garners significant endorsement from two-time Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes and professional footballer Josh Cavallo, both prominent LGBTQ+ advocates lending their support to the endeavor.

Central to this evolution is the introduction of the 'Proud Pledge,' an innovative commitment designed to translate symbolic support into tangible, welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. According to Sports Media LGBT, Sports clubs, fitness centers, and organizations that uphold inclusive values are actively enrolling in this pledge, signaling their dedication to fostering environments of belonging.

The imperative for this enhanced approach is underscored by recent research. A survey commissioned by Stonewall and conducted by YouGov revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals are three times more likely than their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts to encounter discrimination when participating in physical activity or sports. This disparity often transforms spaces intended for release and community into sources of anxiety for many within the LGBTQ+ community, with one in five inactive LGBTQ+ people citing fear of discrimination as a primary barrier to participation.

This "inclusion gap" not only diminishes physical well-being but also deprives individuals of crucial mental health benefits and social connections inherent to sports engagement. The statistics highlight a persistent dichotomy: while elite sports increasingly feature openly LGBTQ+ athletes, the grassroots experience for many queer individuals continues to be marked by exclusion. The 'Proud Pledge' directly addresses this systemic disconnect.

By committing to the 'Proud Pledge,' participating entities vow to implement a series of concrete actions throughout the year, articulated under the guiding principles of ‘Keep It Moving’, ‘Welcomed In’, and ‘Call It Out and Stand Together’. Stonewall frames the pledge as a "journey of continuous improvement," recognizing that the commitment to ongoing progress is paramount. For sports clubs and teams founded specifically on LGBTQ+ inclusion due to the historical shortcomings of mainstream spaces, the 'Proud Pledge' serves as a natural extension of their foundational missions, enabling them to establish exemplary standards for wider adoption.

Simon Blake, Chief Executive of Stonewall, articulated the campaign's ethos: "From my own experience as a keen equestrian, I know the joy and sense of well-being that taking part in movement brings. The Rainbow Laces campaign is working to make sure that this feeling and its benefits are available to everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community. If you are a sporting or exercise organisation, I would encourage you to sign up to ‘Proud Pledge’, show your support, and enable everyone to feel that can move with pride."

Dame Kelly Holmes, who publicly affirmed her identity as gay in 2022, added her support: "I’m supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign because I believe movement and exercise should be accessible to everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. When people feel they belong, confidence grows and taking part in sport supports this to become easier and more joyful."

Josh Cavallo, who made global headlines by coming out as gay during his professional football career in Australia in 2021 and has since relocated to the UK, also expressed his enthusiasm: "Everyone should feel like they belong in sport and exercise, and Rainbow Laces and the Proud Pledge are tangible ways of addressing this, so I am really pleased to be able to support this important campaign."