LGBTQ inclusive sports and fitness spaces are signing up to Rainbow Laces ‘Proud Pledge’
Dame Kelly Holmes and Josh Cavallo are lending their support to the new-look Rainbow Laces campaign; Stonewall’s Simon Blake says the ‘Proud Pledge’ is for everyone in sports and exercise who wants to send out a message of LGBTQ inclusion…
Stonewall has announced a new era for its Rainbow Laces campaign, with the focus shifting from football matchday activations to fitness and community sports.
The LGBTQ inclusion initiative is being relaunched with a #MoveWithPride tagline and support from two-time Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes and footballer Josh Cavallo.
At the heart of this evolution is the ‘Proud Pledge’, which Stonewall hopes will bridge the gap between wearing the laces and fostering truly welcoming environments.
Across the UK, sports clubs, fitness spaces and organisations that pride themselves on their inclusive values are signing up to the pledge.
New data from a recent survey commissioned by Stonewall and conducted by YouGov supports the need for this approach.
The research found that LGBTQ people are three times more likely than their cisgender, heterosexual peers to face discrimination while exercising or participating in sport.
For many in the community, the gym or the pitch – places that should offer a sense of release and community – are instead areas that make them feel anxious. One in five LGBTQ people who are not active cited a fear of discrimination as a primary reason for their lack of participation.
This “inclusion gap” doesn’t just impact physical health; it strips away the mental health benefits and social connections that sport provides.
The statistics are a reminder that, while we are seeing more LGBTQ athletes being their authentic selves in elite sports, the grassroots experience for many queer people is still characterised by exclusion. The ‘Proud Pledge’ is about addressing that disconnect.
@stonewalluk 🌈 Everyone should be welcome to move, play and participate. Belonging changes how we move. When welcome is visible, confidence grows – and movement follows. When people don’t feel they belong, they don’t move – and their health and wellbeing suffer. Rainbow laces is a signal that those in the #LGBTQ+ community are welcome, that they do belong. Move, share, show. Get involved – because everyone should be able to #MovewithPride ▶️ link in bio. #RainbowLaces ♬ original sound – Stonewall
What is the ‘Proud Pledge’?
By signing the pledge, sports clubs, gyms, and fitness groups are making a commitment to a series of tangible actions throughout the year, under the slogans ‘Keep It Moving’, ‘Welcomed In’ and ‘Call It Out and Stand Together’.
Stonewall describes the pledge as a “journey of continuous improvement.” It acknowledges that while no club is perfect, the commitment to progress is what matters most.
For sports clubs and teams where LGBTQ+ inclusion is central to their existence, the ‘Proud Pledge’ is a natural extension of their existing missions.
These clubs were founded specifically because mainstream spaces failed to provide safety and belonging. Now, they can sign the pledge and help to set a gold standard for others to follow.
Stonewall chief executive Simon Blake said: “From my own experience as a keen equestrian, I know the joy and sense of well-being that taking part in movement brings.
“The Rainbow Laces campaign is working to make sure that this feeling and its benefits are available to everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community.
“If you are a sporting or exercise organisation, I would encourage you to sign up to ‘Proud Pledge’, show your support, and enable everyone to feel that can move with pride.”
Dame Kelly Holmes, who publicly shared her story of being gay in 2022, added: “I’m supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign because I believe movement and exercise should be accessible to everyone in the LGBTQ+ community.
“When people feel they belong, confidence grows and taking part in sport supports this to become easier and more joyful.”
Cavallo came out as gay while playing professional football in Australia in 2021 and has since moved to the UK. He says he is also proud to be part of the initiative.
“Everyone should feel like they belong in sport and exercise, and Rainbow Laces and the Proud Pledge are tangible ways of addressing this, so I am really pleased to be able to support this important campaign.”
To learn more about the Proud Pledge and how your club or fitness space can get involved, visit the Stonewall website and join the movement to make sport everyone’s game.
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