Sports Media LGBT+ is a network group and consultancy that advocates for inclusion in both our own industry, and across sport in general.
The group welcomes all LGBT+ people working or seeking to work in sports media; and also allies who are supportive of members of the LGBT+ community, their rights, gender equality, and other initiatives related to inclusion in sport.
Our extended network encompasses LGBT+ people and allies with other roles in both sports and media. Through partnering and collaborating, we are helping to create welcoming environments and cultures in which LGBT+ people can achieve their goals through authenticity.
After an initial meeting in London, UK, in August 2017, the network was formally launched in November of that year by Jon Holmes, who serves as network lead. Jon is a freelance journalist and media consultant with over 20 years of experience in creating content, and for many years led Sky Sports’ support for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.
Sports Media LGBT+ offers consultancy, resources and associated services to a wide range of organisations. See our Links page to learn about our partners.
Read and download our ‘Rainbow Ready’ resources pack
By harnessing the power of media and journalism, the group advocates for athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and all others involved in sport who are LGBT+, by amplifying their voices in order to highlight the benefits of ‘being yourself’ and how that inspires others.
The group holds regular get-togethers, and operates various public channels on social platforms (X / Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn; a Community group on Facebook and one on LinkedIn – just request to join these; and a core members WhatsApp chat) where people can communicate and offer professional advice, ideas, and support.
We also meet up at related events throughout the year, and have strong connections with industry bodies such as the Sports Journalists’ Association, the Football Writers’ Association, Pride Sports UK, Women In Football, and Racing Pride.
If you’d like to submit or pitch content for consideration for our website, you’re welcome! Our site is Google News ranked, giving published articles a much wider audience, while they also receive strong social coverage to a combined audience of around 20,000 users.
Please get in touch if you’d like to learn more – drop us an email at info@sportsmedialgbt.com or fill in our Contact form. We’d be delighted to hear from you, and will reply ASAP.
Check out our 2024 calendar to find out more about upcoming events and our network plans.
What we do
As a network, we aim to provide a space for LGBT+ people and allies working in sports journalism, TV production, public relations and all other sports media-related roles, to connect in person and online, in order to share experiences, advice, content ideas, and other professional support and assistance.
As an advocacy group, we seek to champion all those with a role in sport who are also LGBT+ – whether they are competing, participating, attending or working – at any level. We are committed to LGBT+ inclusion, the fair and accurate representation of LGBT+ people in the media, and tackling any instances of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, all of which sadly remain far too common in sport.
We also act as a consultancy, offering advice and expertise on communicating LGBT+ inclusion and related themes.
Who we work with
We are a collaborative organisation that wishes to see greater diversity across the sports media landscape (see our Recommended page to find great content). We are inspired by the work of other network groups whose objectives align and intersect with our own, and also LGBT+-inclusive charities, campaigners and activists with an interest in connecting to people through the power of sport. Check out some of our connections on our Links page.
Contact us
We want to hear from you and connect through a shared love of sport. As well as the ways to get in touch previously mentioned, you can also email Jon in confidence at jon@sportsmedialgbt.com.
We have a mailing list of over 800 people which you’re welcome to join – just drop us a line to be added.