England Squash

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ is the acronym for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace. Studies by Out on the Fields and OutSport found that 80% of participants have witness or experienced homophobia in sport, with homophobic language the most common.

The LGBTQ+ community is a huge part of squash and it's important that we make an effort to create an inclusive, safe space where everybody feels welcome. We've gathered some resources below to help you get started.

We all have a key role to play, check out Stonewall's List of LGBTQ+ terms so you can understand them better and use them in the appropriate way.

Tips to become a more LGBTQ+ friendly club

Manchester's LGBTQ+ squash club Northern Rebound shares their top tips on creating an inclusive, safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.

#ProudToPlay - Elle's story

Elle is a transgender squash player. When she came out, she thought there was no real way she could ever play sport again. But having found an inclusive club in 2023, Elle felt welcomed, encouraging her to continue picking up a racket and enjoy the meditative experience of squash.

Meet the thriving London LGBTQ+ squash club OutPlay

OutPlay welcomes people of all playing levels and abilities across London where they host four sessions per week in three venues across the city. The group has over 120 members, some of whom compete in tournaments across Europe, some who enjoy the vibrant social side the club offers and some who love both.

Read the full story here.

Pride Sports

Pride Sports aims are to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport and improve access to sport for LGBT+ people. In working towards these goals they want to:

Campaign for change
Educate
Promote good practice
Actively grow LGBTQ+ participation and satisfaction in sport

Check our their resources, they can help get a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community in sport.

Pride Sports also have their own LGBTIQ+ Calendar, take a look here and see if there are any your club want to celebrate and incorporate into your events calendar.

Pride in Our Workforce

In 2019, Energise Me embarked on an innovative project to improve LGBT+ inclusion. The project stemmed from the ideas of local LGBT+ young people and three alarming facts:

LGBT+ people are significantly less likely than heterosexual people to do enough exercise to maintain good health (Pride Sports, 2016).
LGBT+ people’s general health is worse than that of heterosexual people (National LGBT Survey, 2017).
Individuals identifying as LGBT+ are more likely to access mental health services (Public Health, 2014).

Read about their research and findings here.

Club Matters - LGBTQ+ inclusivity

Club matters have tips and advice for embedding LGBTQ+ inclusivity at your organisation, from your governance structures to your communications you can achieve more and be more inclusive. Visit their website here.