The Sports Media LGBT+ Review of 2025: Queer Euros, a gay Glasgow gala, and trans solidarity
A record number of out LGBTQ athletes thriving at the UEFA Women’s Euros and the World Athletics Championships were among our highlights of the last 12 months; at home, resilience was needed as we supported our trans siblings; we’re looking back and looking forward in our traditional annual wrap…
From international tournament thrills to tough tasks at home, 2025 ran the full gamut of emotions.
The sixth edition of Sports Media LGBT+’s annual Review is a reminder of the many peaks and troughs our community has experienced in recent times.
While we always aim to highlight the happier moments, there’s no getting away from the fact that this has been a rough year for many LGBTQ people, particularly in the sporting context.
Going from January through to December, we’ve focused on a major talking point from each month of 2025 and rounded up other notable news. We concentrate on what’s happened in the U.K. and pick out relevant social posts too.
Please tell us about the moments that mattered to you – we’d love to learn about them. Comment below, reply or DM on any of our social channels, or drop us an email.
Now let’s get stuck into 2025 one last time…
Will ‘Heated Rivalry’ heat up UK ice hockey’s Pride efforts?
In January, we reported on the Elite Ice Hockey League’s annual Pride activation, and how it has grown from a fan‑led event into coordinated Pride Games in every EIHL arena. There are specially designed jerseys, charity partnerships (2025’s was national LGBTQ support line Switchboard), Pride pucks, playlists and community involvement.
This has helped to cultivate a loyal LGBTQ fanbase, with EIHL media manager Luke Fisher emphasising that the aim is to create lasting impact beyond a single week.
Manchester Storm defenseman Zach Sullivan, one of very few out LGBTQ players in men’s pro ice hockey anywhere in the world, praised these efforts while also urging the EIHL and its clubs to go further than symbolic gestures to avoid the activation becoming “tokenistic.” Sullivan highlighted that some teams still fail to meaningfully engage with local communities or clearly support named causes, and said he wants more consistent, substantive involvement year‑round.
His perspective underscores that wearing rainbow jerseys is only a starting point, and deeper engagement with LGBTQ groups and fans would better demonstrate genuine inclusion and support.
With the hit TV show ‘Heated Rivalry’ hitting UK screens via Sky in January 2026, there is sure to be renewed focus on being gay or bi in hockey, and in men’s team sports more broadly.
Also in January… gay referee Huw Ware takes charge of his first World Darts Championship final; the first out gay All Black, Campbell Johnstone, celebrates getting married to his husband, Ben; we contribute towards Barney Ronay’s Guardian article about problematic media coverage of being gay in men’s football; here’s an uplifting story about trans footballers competing at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas…
Survey says… most LGBTQ football fans aren’t reporting abuse
Out and Out Football’s survey of nearly 200 LGBTQ men’s football fans revealed widespread experiences of anti-LGBTQ+ abuse, as we entered the annual Football v Homophobia Month of Action in February.
Around 75% of respondents said they had either experienced or heard homophobic comments or behaviour while watching men’s football, and more than 90% believe that stronger action against homophobia in the game would improve their matchday experience.
Despite this, only about 23% of those who encountered or heard abuse said they had reported it officially, often choosing to inform clubs rather than the police or organisations like Kick It Out, highlighting a significant “reporting gap” in hate incidents.
More than 275 clubs, teams, fan groups, leagues and organisations signed up to be FvH Champions in the Month of Action. The EFL officially supported the initiative in what was also LGBT+ History Month, and there was a £10,200 donation from PUMA after 204 goals were scored with its Rainbow Ball across 86 matches in the allotted period.
Data from the Home Office and from The FA shows homophobia offences are still rising in the professional and grassroots game. You can register now for the 2026 Month of Action on the FvH website.
@puma.uk Football is for everyone. 🤝 See the full length videos of PUMA’s rainbow ball collaboration with the EFL on our instagram. #PUMA #footballtiktok #efl ♬ original sound – PUMA.UK
Also in February… Olympic basketball player and ‘extremist lesbian’ Katya Snytsina’s extraordinary one-woman play shines a light on human rights abuses in Belarus; Sports Media LGBT+ is shortlisted in the Specialist Sports Publisher category at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards; FvH holds ‘Wear It Black and Pink’ Day on the International Day Against LGBTQphobia, which is the late Justin Fashanu’s birthday; our friend Caz Simone’s story of being nonbinary in football and educating through TikTok is spotlighted by the FA Women’s National League…
A tremendous gala night, but trouble ahead…
The sixth annual FvH Awards gala was held in March in Glasgow, and there was plenty to celebrate. A standout moment came from trans teenager Emily Waldron, who plays for TRUK United. She accepted third place in the FvH Hero category and delivered a powerful speech urging clubs to create safe, inclusive spaces for gender-diverse youth in football.
Emily’s call for trans kids to be welcomed and to “take up space” in the game earned a standing ovation – this would prove to be bittersweet, coming just a month before the Supreme Court ruling (more on that later).
The night also highlighted broad community and club efforts, with awards going to teams and groups such as Leeds United for professional inclusion work, Saltire Thistle FC in Scotland, and African Pride Games internationally, and various fan communities and organisations making meaningful impacts.
Hosted by Flo Lloyd-Hughes and Zander Murray, the event was once again a much-needed celebration of unity and resilience. The 2026 edition of the FvH Awards will be held in London on 6 February – shortlists and ticket details will be announced early in the New Year.
Also in March… we speak to gay HYROX star and influencer Jake Williamson after he is included among Instagram’s ‘Athletes for Purpose’ project; the media again gets majorly hung up on talk of death threats when footballer Josh Cavallo speaks to FIFPro about the overwhelmingly positive aspects of being out as gay; the TRUK United documentary ‘We’ll Go Down In History’ launches on demand, and goes down a storm at film festivals all year; U.S. Olympic track medalist Yared Nuguse goes public about his relationship with his boyfriend in one of the big coming out moments of the year…
Solidarity shines on, despite Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court’s interpretation in April of the legal definition of “sex” in the Equality Act had wider implications for how gendered spaces in UK sports are governed.
Grassroots LGBTQ-inclusive clubs and teams showed strong support for trans and non-binary participants. Inclusive teams like Goal Diggers FC publicly reaffirmed their commitment to being trans-inclusive, and leading figures from these communities explained passionately why it was vital to welcome everyone.
With the ruling creating anxiety about access to facilities, insurance options, and future policy changes (which would soon follow), recreational and LGBTQ-focused clubs continued to resist exclusionary approaches and vowed to stand firm on inclusive values.
Football v Transphobia campaigners voiced concerns about protections for trans athletes and broader everyday life implications, referenced in our own statement. All this would come to bear in the ensuing weeks and months.
@beckytaylorgill 🏳️⚧️💖 #grassrootsfootball #womensfootball #woso #queer #trans #lgbtq #sport ♬ original sound – Becky Taylor-Gill
Also in April… Jahmal Howlett-Mundle is the hugely deserving winner of the LGBTQ Award on the Football Black List; sports writer Evie Ashton joins us for a Q&A about feminism and much more; we celebrate another World Curling Championships title for Bruce Mouat and Scotland; Kerstin Casparij scores a goal for Manchester City and kisses a trans Pride flag wristband – she goes on to be named Outsports’ Female Hero of the Year…
‘Ruck You Match’ provides an inconvenient truth
In May, former England prop Sasha Acheson spoke to Outsports about organising an exhibition game called “The Ruck You Match,” which was played on June 1 during the IGR Union Cup in Oslo.
The match featured Acheson and other former international women’s rugby players facing trans women rugby players in a sevens game, as a response to recent bans on trans women in women’s sports.
In a series of social posts and via the match itself, Acheson sought to show how trans women pose no threat to others on the pitch. With fellow players and experts, she strongly argued that rugby has historically been inclusive and diverse, and that the bans undermine that culture.
The “Ruck You Match” was a success, achieving many of Acheson’s aims, but the paucity of global media coverage of the contest proved how challenging this space continues to be for campaigners. Credit to Alice Soper for a great write-up in the NZ Herald, and to Kamrin Baker for GoodGoodGood.
@jcubedhax there is no LGB without the T #pride #rugby #transrights ♬ Stuff We Did (from 'Up') – Piano Version – your movie soundtrack
Also in May… the English and Scottish FAs ban trans women from affiliated women’s football – some LGBTQ-inclusive teams for women and non-binary people elect to unaffiliate entirely, while others seek ways to keep their gender-diverse players involved while staying in the system; Miriam Walker-Khan’s “Real Talk” podcast breaks it all down on Sky Sports; the ECB also confirms a ban in women’s cricket – in the i paper, Evie Ashton explains why this is devastating to the affected players; Nicky Bandini’s Guardian op-ed about the government’s lamentable response to the Supreme Court ruling is essential reading…
‘Gamechanger’ gives EuroGames Cardiff 2027 early chance to shine
Olympic swimmer Dan Jervis, who came out as gay in 2022, spoke at our “Pride Gamechanger” event in London about the significance of the upcoming EuroGames Cardiff 2027, which will be the first time the LGBTQ-inclusive multi-sport event will be held in the UK.
Hosted with fellow swimmer and advocate Michael Gunning at the end of Pride Month in June, the event brought together LGBTQ athletes and allies and highlighted how a sporting festival like EuroGames would have positively impacted Jervis when he was younger.
He described his own journey to acceptance and praised the support he’s received since coming out, saying that seeing athletes like him being their authentic selves on big stages can inspire younger LGBTQ people.
Jervis also emphasised the potential of EuroGames to showcase Cardiff and Wales, noting the capital city’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s most LGBTQ-friendly places.
EuroGames 2027 is expected to attract thousands of athletes competing in dozens of sports, with registration due to open in spring 2026. Jervis hopes the event will encourage investment in inclusive sport and leave a lasting legacy that supports the next generation of LGBTQ athletes and communities.
Also in June… international men’s netball at the Copper Box in London is the perfect start to Pride Month, with out gay players thriving; Jordan Burrow of ‘I Kissed A Boy’ fame speaks to us on the FvH Podcast about coming out in a rural community and his complicated relationship with football; in the U.S., tifos from LGBTQ fan groups take centre stage in soccer; FIFPro invites Jon to share some thoughts for Pride Month…
A joyously queer Euros and another England triumph
LGBTQ representation and inclusion were central themes at the UEFA Euro 2025 tournament in Switzerland. More than 20% of players were publicly out, with Wales having at least nine out LGBTQ players, the most of any squad (historic goalscorer Jess Fishlock was a standout).
Relationships between high-profile players (sometimes even facing each other as opponents) became one of the many ways queer identities were ‘usualised’ and celebrated.
Pride symbolism returned to the international tournament stage, with captains such as England’s Leah Williamson and Italy’s Elena Linari wearing rainbow armbands, although UEFA seemed ambivalent at best towards this visibility.
Some teams chose traditional “Respect” armbands instead, highlighting ongoing debates around inclusion in the game. Yet overall, the Euros reinforced women’s football’s reputation as a vehicle for positive change and progress, as England successfully defended their title.
Also in July… for Trans Writes, Arthur Webber explains why The FA’s new directive for trans men who want to play affiliated men’s football amounts to a humiliating ‘de facto’ ban; thousands of LGBTQ athletes take part in EuroGames in Lyon, where Natalie Washington receives a well-deserved EGLSF Advocacy Award; Spanish semi-pro footballer Alberto Lejarraga’s wedding to his husband is recognised for its wider significance in the men’s game; elite divers Matteo Santoro and Max Linan come out by celebrating their one-year anniversary as boyfriends on Instagram, with Santoro going on to win a world title…
Reactions differ to PL’s removal of Rainbow Laces
News that the Premier League was ending its long-standing support of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign received a mixed response in August. While the PL was keen to stress it would launch a new LGBTQ inclusion initiative in February 2026, the social-media debate around the decision was contentious, stirred up by column writers in conservative titles like The Telegraph.
Rainbow Laces deserves credit for the awareness it raised around being LGBTQ and provided context for public coming-out moments like those of referee Ryan Atkin and striker Jake Daniels. The only player in Premier League history to have come out, Thomas Hitzlsperger, had written favourably of the campaign as recently as last year.
The PL’s decision came soon after the release of diversity data that indicated a higher number of LGBTQ staff members across professional clubs’ workforces than had been anticipated. Meanwhile, amid increasing reports of homophobic and transphobic incidents in matches and online, many LGBTQ fans feel that more substantive education and safety measures are needed beyond symbolic gestures.
Also in August… Lars Fellows, who was a contestant on ‘I Kissed A Boy’ and plays football for Village Manchester FC, shared his fascinating football story on the FvH Podcast; he was one of the guests at FvH’s annual Football Pride event, where Josh Cavallo was the headline speaker, with great turnout from LGBTQ fan groups and teams; Mitch Brown’s coming out moment is historic in Aussie rules; the Women’s Rugby World Cup begins in England, with rising LGBTQ representation tumbling out throughout the tournament…
All on track in Tokyo, where LGBTQ athletes excel
For September’s World Athletics Championships, Outsports highlighted at least 13 publicly out LGBTQ athletes who competed in Tokyo, a record number for the event.
Spain’s Maria Perez did the ‘double double’ of race-walking gold medals, while Great Britain hurdler Seamus Derbyshire established himself as a big fans’ favourite. Team LGBTQ would have finished fourth on the medal table, if it were a nation.
Off the track, World Athletics web editor Jon Mulkeen joined a Sports Media LGBT+ Q&A to discuss his role covering the championships, and reflected on how inclusive the sport and its media environment can be for LGBTQ people.
He also shared his personal journey of coming out as gay later in life and the importance of visibility and support within the athletics community.
@trackandfieldtalkldn Following a great 2025 season and moving up to seventh on the UK all time list in the men’s 400m hurdles! Seamus Derbyshire was presented with the TAFI male athlete of the year award🏆 Seamus has been recognised for not only his athletic ability, but for bringing his personality to the track and inspiring others to be their true and authentic self👏
♬ original sound – trackandfieldtalk
Also in September… Lewis Wale, founder of Coventry City’s LGBTQ fans group Proud Sky Blues, spoke to us to mark Bi Visibility Day; abuse of Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup in New York included homophobic slurs; it’s a tough time for LGBTQ media outlets and for niche sports publishers, but Digiday’s report on Outsports offers hope; the Red Roses win the Rugby World Cup, which has a genderfluid player in the final in the shape of Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester…
Perth gets Gay Games XIII as Valencia pushes on for 2026
In October, Perth learned it had been successful in its bid to host Gay Games 2030. The victory was welcomed as a milestone for both the city and Australia’s LGBTQ community.
Preferred to Denver in the U.S., Perth appeared to have triumphed in part as a result of strong government backing, and its reputation for delivering major international sporting and cultural events.
In contrast, Valencia’s challenging path toward hosting Gay Games 2026 continued. The FGG issued a statement in October “to clarify certain points” in light of claims about the lack of community support and also trans and non-binary inclusion.
However, by the end of the year, organisers announced they had passed the 5,000 athletes registration milestone, RuPaul’s Drag Race queen Choriza May had been confirmed as host of the Opening Ceremony, and positive media promotion around the event continued.
Sports Media LGBT+ visited Valencia in late June, and we think it’s got the potential to be a truly great Gay Games.
@chorizamay ♬ Natural Emotions – Muspace Lofi
Also in October… Callum Hodge, a rare example of an out gay player in men’s grassroots football, talks about his journey in the game on the FvH Podcast to mark Coming Out Day; Australian sporting icon Ian Roberts is in entertaining form as he launches a crowdfunder for an upcoming documentary about his life; a roundtable debate about trans women in women’s sports was held at the “Play The Game” conference in Finland; the ‘Proud Champions’ network launches to encourage LGBTQ Olympians and elite athletes to seek out community…
‘Queen of Stops’ has complicated coming out story
As part of the promotion for her autobiography, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps publicly shared her “really happy” relationship with her girlfriend Kitty for the first time.
In the book, Earps recounted childhood conformity, parental disapproval, bullying, and later challenges balancing her personal life with elite football, illustrating that even in the very LGBTQ-friendly women’s game, there is still complexity and discomfort in coming out.
Earps’ story is significant not just because of her high profile but because it highlights how deep and personal such experiences can be for athletes. At a time when Rainbow Laces or an alternative LGBTQ campaign was on pause in the WSL, it was a reminder that leagues and governing bodies need to focus on both celebration and education.
It’s all too easy for sports to be complacent on inclusion, even though rising levels of homophobia and transphobia online are obvious.
@itvnews Former England goalkeeper @maryearps has spoken publicly for the first time about her sexuality. The Euro winner shares in her forthcoming autobiography that she is in a "really happy relationship'' with girlfriend Kitty. She spoke exclusively with ITV News about discussing ''the most important relationship in her life.'' Hit the link for the full interview.
♬ original sound – itvnews – ITV News
Also in November… Goal Diggers FC discuss their year on the FvH Podcast; Jack Murley writes for Sports Media LGBT+ about a special episode of his Sports Show podcast from GFSN’s big day out at St George’s Park; PDC darts shows strong support once again for LGBTQ people; North Carolina FC folding means Collin Martin is looking for a new club, and there are no longer any out gay or bi men actively playing professional football, anywhere in the world; rising tennis star Mika Brunold comes out as gay…
World Cup ‘Pride Match’ becomes major talking point
Organisers in Seattle planning for the city’s FIFA World Cup 2026 matches had long been planning for a ‘Pride Match’ activation in late June. At Outsports, we had our eye on the corresponding fixture well before the draw was made, so when Egypt and Iran were assigned to play in it, I reported on the news.
With both countries enforcing anti-LGBTQ laws, the consternation this article generated was wild, and the fallout continues. My post about it on X has more than 12m views, but there has still been no comment whatsoever from FIFA, while the winning poster in the Seattle FWC26 Pride Match Design Contest is yet to be announced.
For BBC Sport, Emma Smith interviewed Eric Wahl, who is a member of the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee. He said he hopes FIFA “do the right thing” and “stay out” of the human rights debate surrounding the game, even though the two national football federations of Egypt and Iran are known to be putting pressure on the governing body to interject.
Officials cited culture and religion as reasons why they are objecting to the match, but there is no suggestion there will be any Pride activity inside Lumen Field itself on the night. However, all the attention on the game means fans attending are now more likely to want to bring rainbow flags into the stands.
The World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is by far the biggest global sporting event of 2026, and you can guarantee the ‘Pride Match’ will now be one of its biggest stories, whatever happens around it.
@cnn A World Cup match scheduled in Seattle has caused outrage in Egypt and Iran. The scheduled June 26 match will be part of the city's pride celebrations and the football federations representing both Egypt and Iran are pushing back. #CNN #news ♬ original sound – CNN
Also in December… Sports Media LGBT+ contributes to an excellent All Out Football documentary about Millwall Romans FC; former Out for Sport co-chair Vicki Carter tells us all about her British Empire Medal; The FA’s latest Grassroots Discipline Review shows another rise in homophobia offences; Tour de France legend Pippa Walsh’s superb memoir ‘The Escape’, written with David Walsh, is the William Hill Sports Book of the Year…
What were your memorable LGBTQ+ in sports and sports media moments from 2025? Any content you’d like to recommend? Let us know! The comments are open below, or tag us on social media – you can also check out our calendar, which shows a wide range of forthcoming events.
Thanks for reading this feature and for your support for Sports Media LGBT+. If you’re interested in connecting further, get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.
The Sports Media LGBT+ website is a digital publishing hub for news, stories and opinion from across our global community of LGBTQ+ people and allies in sport – and it’s open to all.
We’re interested in your content. Share with us and tap into a worldwide audience through our Google News affiliate website and our popular social channels with over 20,000 followers. Contact us to discuss how we can help you. You can also learn more about our network, advocacy, and consultancy group here.
