This week sees many athletes, sports personnel and fans parading the famous Stonewall rainbow laces in support of inclusivity. We took the opportunity to speak to some of our players about their experiences both in sport and in society. Opinions and attitudes toward those that identify as LBGT+ are definitely changing for the better, but there is still a long way to go.

“As a young teacher I was pressured to not discuss 'that part of my life'...Thankfully, as I have progressed, become more confident and work with a supportive team I am now an openly Gay and Gender Fluid teacher with tremendous support from both staff and students.” Michaela Dorrian

And in sport? London sport has a mission to “Make London the world’s most active city”. Their mission is participation. A major barrier to participation within the LGBT+ population is the fear of harrassment or discrimination- 1 in 8 avoid the gym or participating in sports groups because of this. A massive 66% of LGBT people feel that there are problems with homophobia and transphobia in sport- that is a hugely upsetting figure to swallow.

But what about women’s Rugby?

“Women's Rugby has always provided a supportive space to be openly LGBT+. I was very shy when I first started University rugby but the whole team were supportive and encouraged me to be myself. I have always found sports teams to be open with regards to talking about relationships and giving advice, no one is bothered what the gender or sexual orientation is of who you are dating...they still want the goss!” Mickey Dorrian

Seemingly Women’s Rugby is a very open and supportive environment no matter how you identify. Wasps FC Ladies recently launched a campaign “the other side of me”- highlighting that whilst we may be doctors, lawyers or teachers we are also all rugby players. In the same way, we may be gay, straight, lesbian, bi or trans but we all turn up for the same game- rugby.

“In a sports club you have a lot more people from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, different careers, different sexual orientations all merged into a team...You win and you lose together, you support your fellow athletes on and off the pitch.” Meg Horwood

“I think the women’s game is a pretty even split of LGBT and heterosexual players, there’s kind of an unspoken zero tolerance policy. It doesn’t need to be said, bigoted or homephobic views do not have a place in the environment.” Liz Crake

But let’s not dismiss the old elephant in the room. Whilst women’s rugby may be a very supportive environment, there have been and still are stereotypes associated with the sport.

“When I first started playing in secondary school, I got a lot more comments about it being a lesbain sport...People would ask questions like ‘are there a lot of Lesbians in your team? Aren’t you worried about them looking at you in the shower’...but I loved the game and so what if people assumed something about me because of it” Liz Crake

As an insider, you might laugh at questions like this and correct the slightly skewed image of what goes on behind the scenes in a Women’s Rugby team. But do questions and perceptions of the game, like this, have the potential to impede on uptake of the sport?

“I actually think this is more off putting for those that are straight. Telling someone that you play rugby and the first thing they think of is ‘Are you gay’...People stereotype different athletes depending on the sport they play- both males and females” Meg Horwood

“ I can see how it might affect young girls who are getting into the game, maybe they feel pressured to fit into a certain box...” Liz Crake

If a sporting environment is supportive, inclusive and free from stereotypes, but the outsider’s perceptions of that environment don’t match, then we still have a problem! Women’s Rugby is perhaps one of the few where inclusivity isn’t a major issue but that can’t be said for all sports, particularly men’s. So what needs to change?

“Young people need role models, they need those older who have been through the worst and are living a successful life to tell/show them 'it gets better...it takes time but it does get better!'. Sports people need to be able to be open about who they share their lives with, without it being made into a big event or 'coming out' parade.” Michaela Dorrian

“Athletes need to be able to be out and proud and not fear professional or personal repercussions of that. I think that fear is what prevents people speaking out, but with Gareth Thomas, Nigel Owens and more recently Keegan Hirst, hopefully this will spark change and individuals will realise they can be who they are and people are fine with it” Liz Crake

Sport isn’t just a hobby, a means of being active or a way of maintaining health- it’s all of that and much more! It is a gift but it shouldn’t be a privilege, everyone should have the opportunity to get involved without thinking twice about the ‘whos’ the ‘what ifs’ and the possible repercussions. This is what Rugby means to us, and we hope that with the continued work of organisations like Stonewall- everyone gets their own “rugby”:

“Rugby is how I define myself. I’m a rugby player. It’s what I love to do, for the game, the competition, the teammates, for the values. For the self belief it gives me. It also means hanging out with my mates every week- it’s a huge part of our life” Liz Crake

“Rugby has provided so many positive contributions to my life- it’s provided me with many hours of laughter, friends from all walks of life, it’s been a great bonding tool for me and my father. It’s taught me team-work, empathy, tolerance, how to lose with pride and win with dignity” Meg Horwood

“Rugby is my safe haven, where I can go each week and switch off from the pressures of work life. To have a laugh with my mates, keep fit and hopefully put some cracking wins on the board along the way.” Michaela Dorrian

Rugby is our sport, Wasps is our family. It’s that simple.