“I just hope that everyone coming into racing now can feel comfortable.”@JackDuern, Britain's only openly gay jockey, and ally @josephinegordo reflect on his journey and how attitudes are changing in sport.

Alongside #RainbowLaces Racing is proud to support LGBT+ inclusion pic.twitter.com/QAt6dm7DQp

— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) November 29, 2021

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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The network is designed for British racing's participants, workforce and fans who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBT+) as well as allies of the LGBT+ community who want to demonstrate their support, regardless of their own identity. It will aim to:

• Support: offer a safe space for LGBT+ people and allies to meet, receive support, have fun and enjoy racing online and in person.
• Awareness: promote a better understanding of LGBT+ inclusion to ensure racing is everyone's sport, encouraging all to step up as allies.
• Engagement: provide a platform for the sport's LGBT+ community to have a collective voice in shaping the industry's future LGBT+ activity.

It is an increasingly challenging time for many in racing and this can be exaggerated for minority groups. Racing With Pride aims to be a community in which people can find support and camaraderie, as well as influence social change and promote a diverse and fully inclusive industry. Everyone who identifies as LGBT+ should feel able to be their true selves without fear of discrimination.

The network has been created and launched by the DiRSG's dedicated LGBT+ sub-group, with the aim that it is for and led by its members. It will be based primarily on social media with a secure Facebook group acting as a safe space for members to meet and interact, with plans to host a range of events in the future. Updates will also be available via the Racing With Pride Twitter account.

It is hoped the network will act as a platform for shaping future activity, for example racing joining Stonewall's Rainbow Laces activity in November.

To help organizations across racing support and promote the network, a “Rainbow Ready for Racing” toolkit has been developed in collaboration with existing group Sports Media LGBT+ to assist in communicating about LGBT+ inclusion.

Broadcaster Clare Balding, speaking in support of the launch, said:

“Racing is trying hard to embrace a wider audience and to make its own diverse work force feel confident and comfortable. This platform is a welcome innovation and I hope will encourage more LGBT people already in racing to feel appreciated and supported.

“As for those who have yet to discover the beauty of racehorses and the fun of a race day, I look forward to when we can celebrate with the first Pride Racing Festival which will no doubt have a carnival atmosphere!”

Rose Grissell, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the British Horseracing Authority, said:

“Given the recent coronavirus pandemic, many of us have experienced increased feelings of isolation and loneliness over the past few months, and research shows that these feelings and associated mental health issues are heightened within the LGBT+ community.

“We recognize this additional vulnerability and believe now is the right time to ensure racing's LGBT+ participants and fans feel included and valued.

“Racing With Pride has been developed following recent research in the sport which indicated many individuals who identified as a sexual minority did not feel comfortable 'coming out' at work, despite largely positive attitudes towards sexual minority individuals throughout the sport.

“We hope to create a fun and fully inclusive community by providing a safe space for members to come together and share their experiences and to show that British racing understands the need for everyone involved in the industry to feel welcome.”

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The LGBT+ dedicated sub-group was developed following research which indicated many individuals who identified as a sexual minority did not feel comfortable ‘coming out’ at work, despite largely positive attitudes towards sexual minority individuals throughout the sport. The group aims to influence social change and promote a diverse and fully inclusive industry.

Scheduled for later in the year, the LGBT+ network will offer a program designed for role models and allies to share their experiences and collaborate to support anyone in British racing who identifies as LGBT+.

Comprised of members from across the racing industry, the initiative will offer updates via @RacingWithPride on Twitter.

The post LGBT+ Awareness Offered in British Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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