QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON STUDENT’S UNION LGBT+ INCLUSION IN SPORT CAROLINA MANTZALOS (QMSU President) & WIZZY HEAP (ME Sports Officer)

How it all started…..  Motion passed 8 th December 2015 at Annual Member’s Meeting to run LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport Campaign & further research  The President, Sports and LGBT+ Officers (both campuses) got in touch with all sport clubs and LGBT+ Society.  Motion passed 8 th December 2015 at Annual Member’s Meeting to run LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport Campaign & further research  The President, Sports and LGBT+ Officers (both campuses) got in touch with all sport clubs and LGBT+ Society.

Steps Taken The LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport Campaign was going to be linked into LGBT+ History in February and the annual Merger Cup on 5 th March (Our varsity between QM and BL)

Steps Taken A pledge was made available for all students and staff to sign. Sport Club Captains and Student Council Officers launched a social media campaign on Facebook & Twitter

Steps Taken All students playing in Merger and BUCS Fixtures wore rainbow coloured accessories Pledge Boards were made available to sign at Merger and at events following this

Steps Taken  Stamps with the LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport Logo are now available in both our bars & restaurants, and are used on every night out in order to show the commitment for a more inclusive community.  Gender neutral toilets are being implemented across our venues, specifically our changing rooms in Qmotion (the Union run gym) and our Bars & Restaurants  Stamps with the LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport Logo are now available in both our bars & restaurants, and are used on every night out in order to show the commitment for a more inclusive community.  Gender neutral toilets are being implemented across our venues, specifically our changing rooms in Qmotion (the Union run gym) and our Bars & Restaurants

Next Steps  Further research needs to be conducted within the Union, specifically around barriers to Sport.  Inclusivity needs to be incorporated in training delivered to all student groups.  Further research needs to be conducted within the Union, specifically around barriers to Sport.  Inclusivity needs to be incorporated in training delivered to all student groups.

Quotes from Officers WIZZY HEAP, ME Sports Officer  “On a day that divides the campuses in our QM v BL varsity, our Union also came together as equals to promote LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport. Following the NUS research paper, ‘Out In Sport’, we wanted to make a public statement and pledge that students playing sport will not tolerate transphobia or homophobia in sport. The pledge boards and rainbow coloured laces have been a successful statement to all students thinking of taking up sport that sport does not and should not discriminate, but unites us all in doing what we love best.” ADAM SPARKES, ME LGBT+ Officer  “The LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport Campaign has encouraged our LGBT+ students to get more involved in sport. Since the campaign launched and the announcement of gender neutral changing rooms to be ready by the next academic year, many of our LGBT+ students have been telling us how excited they are to get more involved next year.”

Quotes from Officers WILLIAM ATKINS, BL Sports Officer ”It was great to see the sports teams at BL get fully behind the campaign, wearing their rainbow laces at merger and showing their support for LGBT+ Inclusion in sport.” SCOTT MCCAMBRIDGE, BL LGBT+ Officer  “From speaking to members of the LGBT+ community, the campaign had a real, lasting impact on BL. I loved seeing everyone playing in their rainbow laces not just on the day, but ever since.”

Quotes from Officers  “I am incredibly proud to have been part of the LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport campaign. The efforts of our SU officers, sport clubs, staff and students are a testament to how well the campaign was run, how great the awareness of inclusion in sport has been, and has great impacted our QMBL community. I will never forget the lead up to our Merger Cup, where students actively promoted the campaign, and demonstrated on the day that they were committed to being inclusive in sport. Whether they were taking part in the matches or not, the wearing of rainbow accessories was on full show, and they have been worn every since in their standard matches. Students proudly signed the pledge, and feedback every since is that our students within the LGBT+ community are excited about getting more involved.”  The LGBT+ Inclusion in Sport campaign was recognised as one of the key campaigns this year, a common theme seen through our Annual Students’ Union Survey