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A campaign has returned encouraging those involved in sport to unite to help LGBTQ+ people to feel safe and included.
Lack of visibility and inclusion can prevent people from accessing and enjoying sport.
“We have a pretty active island community where people can relate to the incredible benefits of exercise and the community sport creates,” said Liberate CEO Ellie Jones.
“These things are meant to be for everyone, but not everyone can enjoy getting active in the way they love. We’ve seen this clearly with the Olympics where people can be targeted just because of falsely perceived identity characteristics.”
Anybody can collect a set of rainbow laces or sweatbands to wear with pride, available for free courtesy of EY, even if they do not consider themselves athletes.
These will be available at Beau Sejour as well as at the CI Pride pop up stalls at the the Pop Up shop in Smith Street just before CI Pride.
Max Ellis, Assurance Partner at EY, said: "Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels as though they truly belong, whether that’s at work, at home, or within our local and sporting communities, is so important to us.
“Sport is such a great way of bringing people together, both as a participant and spectator, but it's only when people feel safe to be their true authentic selves that they can perform at their best. We're proud to be continuing our support of Pride in Sport and hope to see many local sports teams, clubs and events taking part to continue to raise awareness and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community."
Nicky Will, Director of Communication for the Guernsey Sports Commission said: “‘The Sports Commission is passionate about ensuring that sport is for everyone and Pride in Sport is just one way for the sporting community to show their support to ensure that everyone is able to reap the benefits from participating in sport at whatever level.”
The rainbow laces and sweatbands are available to collect free of charge from at Beau Sejour, KGV, Aztech Soccer and various other sporting venues.
Sports clubs can email hello@liberate.gg to arrange for Pride in Sport laces .
The Channel Islands Pride pop-up shop will be in Smith Street until 6 September.
CI Pride is on Saturday 7 September from 13:00.
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