UK national LGBT sports summit

The 2nd National Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Sports Summit is to be held in Brighton on 13 June 2009. The event welcomes representatives of LGBT sports organisations, as well as representatives from National Governing Bodies, to set the national agenda for LGBT sports development in the UK.

The first National LGBT Sports Summit [report], which was held in 2008 and was attended by over fifty delegates, launched a Steering Group for a National Network of LGBT sports organisations. It is this Steering Group, which is delivering the 2009 Summit with the support of Pride Sports; the UK’s only LGBT Sports Development organisation (www.pridesports.org).

Louise Englefield, Director of Pride Sports says: “The Summit provides a unique opportunity for National Governing Bodies to engage directly with the LGBT sports community. As the UK’s representative on the board of the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation (EGLSF), I feel it is imperative that we have a robust UK strategy that contributes meaningfully to the global LGBT sports development agenda.”

This year, the Summit will be an Open Space Event, bringing together LGBT and mainstream sports organisers from around the UK to create an interesting and productive, action-oriented event. 'Open Space' empowers and challenges every participant to engage in setting the agenda for the summit and encourages lively and engaging dialogues on subjects delegates themselves identify as important.

Feedback from last year’s Summit includes the following:


Sarah Williams, Equality and Diversity manager from the Rugby Football League: “It was an opportunity to network with other NGBs and to hear directly from the LGB community about their needs, barriers to participation and how we can all work together.”


Elias Devries, Tennis London (organisers of the UK’s largest LGBT tennis tournament): "It was inspirational being around my fellow sports groups and the summit got us all thinking about how best to share resources and work together. Assuming there is a major follow up of action points, it will make a big difference for LGBT sports in this country"

The Summit is free to all delegates, but places are limited. To register your interest and reserve a place, please email summit@pridesports.org.