Tag: LGBT+

Woodbine Teams Up With You Can Play Project

Woodbine Entertainment is partnering with the You Can Play Project (YCP) to increase the level of inclusion for everyone who participates in the sport of horse racing. This includes 2SLGBTQ+ athletes, administrators, horse people, and fans. Woodbine is the first horse racing organization in all of North America to partner with the YCP.

“This partnership is a reflection of our determination and commitment to do more to break down barriers and make our sport more inclusive,” said Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. “Horse racing has a rich history throughout the world, but we see an opportunity to be more inclusive, and to be allies to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.”

YCP works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, YCP provides support, education and outreach to ensure the 2SLGBTQ+ community is safe and welcomed in sport, and athletes and participants are judged on their skill, talent and contribution and not their sexuality or gender identity.

The partnership kicks off this June during Pride month with various initiatives planned over the next year including inclusivity training for Woodbine Entertainment staff, jockeys, drivers, trainers, and other horse racing participants. Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park will also host You Can Play themed race days in 2023 to raise awareness and 50/50 fundraising draws to support the You Can Play Project.

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Racing Is Everyone’s Sport 2021: ‘I Just Hope That Everyone Coming Into Racing Now Can Feel Comfortable’

Launched by Great British Racing last year and the sport's Racing with Pride network, Racing Is Everyone's Sport aims to encourage and welcome LGBT+ participation in the sport of horseracing, bringing the racing community together to champion inclusion for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people.

As part of this year's Racing Is Everyone's Sport campaign, Great British Racing brought together current jockeys and friends, Jack Duern and Josephine Gordon, to discuss Jack's experience of coming out in 2013 and the importance of allyship for the LGBT+ community.

Jockey Jack Duern (pronouns: he/him) said: “Racing has definitely come a long way since I came out in 2013. I'm proud to be the first openly gay jockey in Europe, and also proud of the racing community for accepting me for who I am and for welcoming me back into the sport.

“I'm determined to use my platform, and as an ambassador for Racing With Pride, to show other LGBT+ people, both in and out of racing, that they are not alone and that racing is everyone's sport.”

Additionally, on Saturday, Dec. 4, Racing is Everyone's Sport will also encourage and welcome LGBT+ participation in the sport of horseracing through a series of activities at racecourses across the UK that day – Sandown Park, Aintree, Chepstow, Wolverhampton and Wetherby.

Rainbow saddle cloths, kindly organized by sponsors the Kindred group (through its Unibet brand), Betfair and Betway, will be worn for a number of races across the day, including the Betfair Tingle Creek at Sandown, the Unibet Becher Chase at Aintree and The Betway Handicap stakes at Wolverhampton.

Jockeys at the four meetings will once again be encouraged to wear rainbow armbands and rainbow pin badges will be given out freely to racecourse staff and spectators to show their support and spark conversation.

Erin Williams, Sport Engagement Manager at Stonewall (they/them and she/her) said: “We're delighted that Great British Racing is continuing their support for Rainbow Laces this year, joining millions of people around the world who are committed to promoting LGBT+ inclusion in sport and fitness.

The post Racing Is Everyone’s Sport 2021: ‘I Just Hope That Everyone Coming Into Racing Now Can Feel Comfortable’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Racing is Everyone’s Sport’ Initiative Announced by GBR

‘Racing is Everyone’s Sport’ campaign was announced by Great British Racing on Monday. The goal of the initiative is to encourage and welcome LGBT+ participation in racing and bring the racing community together to champion lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. Former jockey Victoria Smith and trainer Mick Appleby are involved with the initiative and have shared their personal experiences.

“This year has been challenging for all [during the coronavirus pandemic]–however research demonstrates that minority groups have been disproportionately affected during the crisis,” said Diversity in Racing Steering Group David Letts. “As such, racing should be proud of the significant progress it has made to promote LGBT+ inclusion.

“The sport’s recently launched LGBT+ network, Racing With Pride, has been a great example of this work which has already proved most valuable to the industry’s LGBT+ community and allies. Everyone in our sport should feel able to be their true selves without fear of discrimination, and I believe we are moving in the right direction to achieve this.”

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