Selected UK sports groups and governing bodies have been invited to attend the Prime Minister’s annual reception for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, tomorrow.
This year's event will this year focus on tackling homophobia in sport.
Invitations have been sent out from the Prime Minister to hundreds of people involved in gay sport, including those who have signed up to the Government’s Charter Against Homophobia in Sport, along with gay sportsmen and women, medal winners from the Cologne Gay Games and representatives from business, the arts, media, charities and campaigners for LGBT equality.
Those attending the event, taking place at Number 10 Downing Street next week on 22 June, include co-chairs of the London 2018 bid to host the World Out Games.
Jonathan Harbourne, co-chair of the London 2018 bid and founder of the largest gay softball club in Europe, the London Raiders, signed the government charter with rugby star and anti-homophobia campaigner Ben Cohen.
He told Pink Paper: “I was thrilled to be invited to the reception this year, it was quite unexpected. I was even more pleased that several members of the London 2018 organising committee were also invited. It shows real commitment from the Prime Minister that tackling homophobia in sport should be high on the agenda.
“London 2018 intends to make a significant difference by reducing homophobia in sport and increase opportunities for health and wellbeing for LGB and T people in London.”
More than 1,100 people have now signed the Government’s Charter Against Homophobia in Sport, which calls for anyone and everyone with an interest or involvement in sport to unite in a common cause to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport.
The Football Association, England & Wales Cricket Board, Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union, together with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, were amongst the first signatories.
The latest sgnatures to be received come from Greater Sport – Manchester’s County Sports Partnership, Badminton England, Rounders England, Triathlon Scotland, Volleyball England and all 14 Rugby Engage Super League clubs including Huddersfield Giants, Bradford Bulls, Celtic Crusaders, Harlequins and Leeds Rhinos.
For more information or to sign the charter see http://www.facebook.com/lgbtsportcharter
