The University of East London has become the first university to sign the government’s charter on tackling homophobia in sport, and it has also leant its support to the National Union of Students’ (NUS) Out is Sport project.
The charter aims to highlight the importance of making sport in Britain an inclusive environment for gays, and has already been signed by key sporting organisations The Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League, as well as gay sporting icons Gareth Thomas and Martina Navratilova.
Upon signing the initiative, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London, Professor Patrick McGhee, said: “As an institution we are committed to greater inclusivity. By being one of the first universities both to sign the charter and to become involved with the NUS ‘Out in Sport’ project we are making an explicit commitment to LGBT inclusion in sport.”
As Professor McGhee announced, the university has also given its support to the NUS’s own anti-homophobia in sport campaign, which aims to make sport more welcoming for gay students.
Vicki Barrs, NUS LGBT Officer, said: “ We’re delighted to have UEL on board with the project and value their participation in our steering group. The commitment made by the institution and the enthusiasm shown by students and staff are greatly appreciated. Our ‘Out in Sport’ project is the first work that seeks to understand the experiences of LGBT students in further and higher education.“
