A round-up of tweets and reactions to ‘Ready, Get Set, Go!’ – our first #AuthenticMe 2020 webinar…
Tweets from the event
Ready, get set and go! We are live with the first event of #AuthenticMe 2020 all about launching an LGBT+ network in sport with some fantastic guests! If you’re not on the zoom webinar, watch the Facebook stream here ?https://t.co/WiGneTRldU
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"If your problem is that nobody is being authentically themselves, start with yourself."
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"We invited athletes, coaches, officials and other staff to come together to talk about being LGBT+ in athletics and discuss things we wanted to work on and things we wanted to improve." – @EthanAkanni1999 on the formation of @AthleticsPride1 #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"It was a no brainer that we could bring together LGBT+ people and allies to create a more inclusive environment." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"A lot of people said they thought we would probably have a group like this already. For me, I thought 'why haven't we done this before'? That visibility hasn't been there for a while." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"It's about trying to create this community in athletics – which is really inclusive – that can push for full equality." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"As soon as you can get some people to start to bite, that encourages people to come on board and think it will work. If you want something to happen, to coin a phrase, you have to be the change even if you're not in a position of influence." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"Unlike @RichardMRacing, we didn't have role models in the sport as such. As an example, we don't have a jockey representing us as yet." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"There are a lot of great drivers, but there are other people throughout the sport too. The importance of that was having authentic stories that people could connect with. It felt like something that was very approachable." – @RichardMRacing, @RacingPrideHQ #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"I liked @RoseGrissell's point of not having to make it perfect. Once it's out there and people can engage with it, that's when it becomes a really good group." – @JoshRudd, @prideinwater #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"If you can get someone (high profile), that's a really great opportunity, but if you don't then getting it out there and allowing people to engage and start to grow it is a really good place to start." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"Visibility is so key. You just need to get the foundations out there and work from there." @EthanAkanni1999, @AthleticsPride1 #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"There are financial reasons for inclusion – you would be appealing to a bigger market." @RichardMRacing, @RacingPrideHQ #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"We spent a couple of hundred quid on a logo and that was it. You don't necessarily need a budget to launch and get off the ground. As we go forward and start looking at hosting events, we'll have to look at how we do that." – @RoseGrissell, @RacingWithPride #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"Some racecourses responded to the trolls on Twitter saying 'if you don't accept everyone in our sport, don't follow us'. That was a really key step for me to see that difference in tone go from fear to confidence." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"I probably thought, if anything, that people weren't that interested in what I had to say. There are a load of athletes that probably have a better story, but since I did a podcast with @jack_murley last week I've had a few people coming up to me." – @JoshRudd, @prideinwater
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"We needed backing, and people immediately said 'yes, how can we support it'. There's real scope for funding going forward to do all the things we want to do." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"It's a massive commitment, it has rather taken over my life at times, but it's something I take great enjoyment from so I don't mind. When you have people all pulling in the same direction it's amazing what you can get done." – @RichardMRacing, @RacingPrideHQ #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"It's nice to have such a supportive core membership. That's the driving force for what we've done so far, and it's what will keep us going. If we don't put any time aside to focus on this, who will?" – @EthanAkanni1999, @AthleticsPride1 #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"We're very aware of that conversation. We haven't got the answer, but we believe without a doubt that we can push forward with our agenda of equality in racing and it's not something we will let hold us back. It's also a slightly bigger conversation than just us." #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"It's all about finding a network in your own sport to feel comfortable. Some people don't have that, and that comes full circle as to why we exist. Hopefully as a network we can bridge that gap." @prideinwater #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"The biggest marker of success for me in the first place was just starting conversations that we weren't having. I would love @RacingPrideHQ to have a real international presence, a lot of people have reached out to us and we'd love to do more." – @RichardMRacing, #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"I imagine a world in sport where people don't really have to explain their sexuality, they can just be their authentic selves." – @EthanAkanni1999, @AthleticsPride1 #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
"We need to allow the younger generation to come through knowing it's ok. We can never know how many people we lose to sport at that age." – @JoshRudd, @prideinwater #AuthenticMe
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
Finally a huge thanks to everyone who watched along, sent in questions and followed the feed on here – hopefully you were able to take something from it! Join us again tomorrow for a discussion on mental health in football, which you can register for here https://t.co/gL7y5OSpkW
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 5, 2020
Reactions
a brilliant webinar about the LGBT+ networks in sport! it’s great to see other people also passionate about equality for LGBT+ individuals?️? can’t wait to continue researching within this area☺️ pic.twitter.com/kWzOkCEf2D
— Beth Burgess (@_bethburgess) October 5, 2020
I was so proud to share @RacingWithPride’s story on behalf of the network tonight at @SportsMediaLGB’s webinar this evening. So great to hear and share with other sports #ComingOutDay https://t.co/h1QIcD546Y
— Rose Grissell (@RoseGrissell) October 5, 2020
Thanks @jonboy79 @SportsMediaLGBT & @PrideSportsUK for hosting #authenticme webinar talking about LGBT+ networks. Grateful to share the conversation with @RacingPrideHQ @RacingWithPride @AthleticsPride1 and discuss the @prideinwater journey. Great to see so many people engage! https://t.co/C6kdZswNq2
— Josh Rudd (@JoshRudd) October 5, 2020
So grateful to @SportsMediaLGBT & @PrideSportsUK for giving me a platform to talk about @RacingPrideHQ and being #LGBTQ+ in #motorsport this evening for #AuthenticMe. Amazing attendance and inspiring to hear from the other panellists @JoshRudd @RoseGrissell @EthanAkanni1999!
— Richard Morris (@RichardMRacing) October 5, 2020
In three words, how would you describe being part of the @AthleticsPride1 Network? @EthanAkanni1999:
— Athletics Pride Network (@AthleticsPride1) October 5, 2020
“Inspiring…Educational…Fulfilling”
???? #AuthenticMe
Great #AuthenticMe panel session tonight featuring @RacingWithPride @AthleticsPride1 @RacingPrideHQ @prideinwater
— Gary Ginnaw (@GRGin1983) October 5, 2020
Well done everyone – looking forward to the next one ??️? #LGBTQ #comingout pic.twitter.com/jdMpgsv7L8
Caught up with this #AuthenticMe webinar earlier.
— Ian Sowman (@isowman) October 6, 2020
A fascinating listen, hearing from those that have set up LGBT+ networks in sport.
All the speakers were interesting but @RichardMRacing gave great insight into @RacingPrideHQ – the background and the reality. https://t.co/USZV33h7zC
Informative panel discussion tonight on the importance of LGBTQ+ networks in sport. Expertly hosted by @SportsMediaLGBT & @PrideSportsUK to support the #AuthenticMe series. Great to hear from @AthleticsPride1, @RacingPrideHQ, @RacingWithPride, & @prideinwater on their ?️? journey. https://t.co/kIijFEdqJp pic.twitter.com/0k2W4Npfiq
— James D'Arcy (@jdarcyswan) October 5, 2020
Fantastic to be a part of tonight’s #AuthenticMe discussions and hear from brilliant panel members from @AthleticsPride1 @RacingPrideHQ @RacingWithPride @prideinwater
— World After Sport (@WorldAfterSport) October 5, 2020
Many thanks to @SportsMediaLGBT and @PrideSportsUK for making this event happen. #ComingOut pic.twitter.com/sN5yxC6R4p
@SportsMediaLGBT thank you for the great webinair! Thank you for making this happen!
— Rick Lotz (@ThoughtsbyRick) October 5, 2020
I'll try to attend these meetings more often ?
Huge thanks to @SportsMediaLGBT and @PrideSportsUK for highlighting the importance of official #LGBTQ+ networks in sport to create safe spaces for athletes. @BritishCycling, are you up for helping us make it happen in #cycling? ??♂️????♀️?️? https://t.co/oCHLZJysHd
— PRiDE OUT (@PrideOutUK) October 5, 2020