Gareth Thomas, David Cameron, Ben Cohen and Billie Jean King Fight Homophobia in Sports
“We are committed to helping people from all communities have access to sporting opportunities without fear of discrimination or prejudice. This charter will help sports design policies, structures and processes to improve equality within their sport.”
Richard Lewis, Sport England Chair
As part of the drive to tackle homophobia in sport, Sport England, Sport Northern Ireland, Sport Scotland, Sport Wales and UK Sport last week jointly signed up to the Government Equalities Office (GEO) Charter on Homophobia and Transphobia in Sport.
The aim of the charter is to make sport a welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
Sport England joins the likes of the Lawn Tennis Association, the Football Association, the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union as well as sports stars including Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Gareth Thomas in signing up to the Charter.
The organisations have come together with a shared desire to address the issues that affect participation in sport by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT ) people. The Home Countries will continue to work in partnership to ensure that opportunities to participate in sport are open to and supportive of everyone.
The charter outlines the importance of creating an environment where everyone is able to participate and enjoy sport, whoever they are and whatever their background.
It also pushes the agenda of fairness, equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, bringing people together with a common goal.
Commenting on the charter, the Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'I think it's great that here in No 10 we have got representatives of the governing bodies of almost every single sport you can think of, signing the charter and saying it's time to put an end to homophobia.
Sport England Chair, Richard Lewis, said:
“We are committed to helping people from all communities have access to sporting opportunities without fear of discrimination or prejudice. This charter will help sports design policies, structures and processes to improve equality within their sport.”
If you would like to sign the charter or you require any additional information then please contact Holly Riley at the Government Equalities Office.
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