The LGBT Sport Podcast

He’s 6 foot 7 inches tall, and combines his rugby career with studying theoretical physics at Trinity College, Dublin.

By anyone’s reckoning, Leinster’s Jack Dunne is no ordinary rugby player.

Today, he’s part of the club’s special Pride panel – alongside the likes of referee Craig Maxwell-Keys and Ireland international Lindsay Peat, as well as Richie Fagan from the Emerald Warriors inclusive rugby team and a load of other great guests.

But Jack isn’t just on that panel as a representative of the club.

He’s on the panel because he’s decided now is the right time to speak publicly about the fact he’s bisexual – and in the conversation you’re about to hear, which was recorded just a couple of hours before the panel took place, he’s been telling me how he came to that decision.

Now, to be clear – this isn’t a ‘coming out’ story – because Jack’s sexuality is no secret at Leinster, and he’s been working with ShoutOut Ireland to deliver educational workshops to LGBTQ+ youngsters across Ireland.

But this is the first time he's spoken to anyone in the media about his story, and we’re grateful he’s taken the time to join us today for it.

It’s a cracking conversation about his career, the importance of visibility in sport, and of being your true self – and we really hope you like it.

And once you’re done listening, make sure you visit Leinster’s YouTube and Facebook pages to see the panel in full.

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Born into a family of watersports enthusiasts who spent their holidays chasing the waves, it’s no surprise that Frazer Riley wanted to learn how to surf.

But the experience of doing it in a country where it was illegal to be gay helped inspire Frazer to create a community where LGBTQ+ surfers from around the world felt comfortable being themselves.

It’s called Queer Surf Club – and this month, it celebrated its first birthday with a special meet-up on a Devon beach.

So, now seemed the perfect time to head to the beach to find out all about it.

Frazer is a great guest, and there’s loads of good stuff in this chat – from the founding of the club to the difference its making to why everyone should be welcome in the sport.

We really think you’ll like this one!

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It’s not often that we have the same person on the podcast twice.

But MMA star Molly McCann made such a splash when she joined us in November that we wanted to have her back on – especially when she let us know that she was releasing her first-ever children's book.

Her collaboration with Sean Webster is called ‘Be True To You’ and is out at the end of the month, and that was reason enough to have her back on for a second chat.

We pick up the conversation with where we left off last time, talking about the reaction to her first appearance on the show, the experience of writing the book and bringing it together, the difference she thinks it’ll make, opening up about her personal experiences and more.

It's always great to chat with Molly – and we think you’ll like this conversation as much as our last one!

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It’s a club with a history that dates back more than 130 years.

And while Sheffield United fans probably won’t want to dwell on too many parts of the season that’s just gone, there is at least one reason to be positive.

Rainbow Blades is the club’s inclusive supporters group, and has just launched a new programme to celebrate all the ways that allies can play a role in making football everyone’s game.

So, we thought that was reason enough to chat with founder James Laley and campaign lead Anna Kent about the work they’re doing, and the difference it’s making.

There’s loads of great stuff in this chat – from James and Anna’s love of football, to why allies are so important, to what’s next for the club they both love.

We really think you’ll like this one!

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It’s no secret that Jack is a massive Spurs fan.

So it’s probably a surprise to see it’s taken 180 episodes to get the club’s inclusive supporters group onto the podcast for a chat!

Chris Paouros, Lee Johnson and Sian Wallis are all from Proud Lilywhites, and this is a cracking conversation with three brilliant talkers who all have their own experiences of what it’s like to be LGBTQ+ in the beautiful game.

We chat about how they became Spurs fans; the history of Proud Lilywhites; how they’ve brought people together during lockdown; the importance of inclusivity and visibility in football; and some of their proudest moments as Spurs supporters.

This is a top conversation with some brilliant fans and role-models… and don’t worry Gay Gooners, we’ll have you on the show whenever you’d like!

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Jon Lee-Olsen has been playing ice hockey since he was a youngster.

Inspired by his older brother, he took to the ice when he was around six years old – and hasn't looked back since. He turned professional, and has been living his dream as a professional player in Scandinavia for the past seven years or so.

And in October 2019, he made a bit of history when he came out on live TV in Denmark.

Opening up about his sexuality was a huge step for him – and he continues to use his platform to try and make sport open to everyone.

So this is Jon Lee-Olsen’s story – from his love of skating to turning pro; his coming out story to using his platform to raise awareness; the joy of seeing EuroGames and World Pride coming to his country; and what food you should try if you happen to be there.

And if you love ice hockey, stick around to the end of this episode as we take a trip into the archives to hear from Zach Sullivan from Manchester Storm – who shared his story with us in March of last year.

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The word ‘legend’ is bandied about a lot – but it’s really the only one you can use to describe Andrea Dobson.

She was just sixteen years old when she made her debut for the Great Britain rugby league team.

Little did anyone know at that point that Andrea would become a stalwart of the game, playing in four World Cups and captaining England at the 2017 tournament in Australia.

And by the time she stepped away from the international scene, she had more England caps than anyone who had come before her.

Andrea still plays in the Women's Super League for Featherstone Rovers, and has just taken up a new job as the Rugby League Development Officer for the city of Sheffield.

And honestly, this is a brilliant chat with an all-round legend of the game.

We talk about getting your start in the game at such a young age; balancing an international career with the trials of everyday life; some of the ignorance that was attached to being a gay woman in the sport by those on the outside of it; retirement and her plans for when that moment comes; her new role; and so, so much more.

This is a cracking episode we really think you’re going to like.

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PC Amy Tapping absolutely loves sport.

She grew up playing hockey as a goalkeeper, and has been doing dressage with her horse since he was a youngster.

But the reason Amy is on the podcast today is her role as the co-chair of the National LGBT+ Police Network – where she’s helping to make May 28th the UK’s first LGBT+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.

And given the audience we have on this show, we really wanted to give her the platform to come on and chat about an important issue that doesn’t get discussed enough.

So yes, there’s plenty of chat about sport, and we find out more about Amy as a person as well – including what she made of Line of Duty!

But the main part of this conversation is about highlighting the problem of domestic violence in the LGBTQ+ community, and how we can help to change it.

We discuss what forms that violence can take; how you can spot it; the unique way it can impact on the LGBTQ+ community; the ways you can get help; and so much more beside.

It’s not always an easy conversation.

But it’s a real one, an honest one, and an important one to have – and we’re really grateful that Amy joined us for it.

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Since 1992, the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association has been working to promote and grow LGBTQ+ soccer around the world.

More than 100 teams and clubs have played in their competitions over the years – and just a short time ago, at the Compete Sports Diversity Summit in Arizona, we found out about their latest one.

The announcement confirmed that the IGLFA World Championships will be coming to Buenos Aires in 2024, with the full support of the Argentine Football Association.

It’s a big moment for IGLFA to get the backing of a national body like the AFA – and on this special episode of the podcast, you’ll hear from two of the people responsible for making it happen.

Up first, it’s IGLFA president Gus Penaranda - who gives us a fascinating insight into his love of soccer, his experiences in the game, and the hard work that has gone into making this tournament happen.

And after Gus, it’s referee Ryan Atkin – a friend of the podcast who is also an IGLFA official – talking about why IGLFA means so much to him, and how preparations from Buenos Aires are going.

So, two cracking guests, talking about one big announcement!

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Abby Dunkin grew up shooting hoops on the driveway of her home in Texas.

In fact, for as long as she can remember, she has loved basketball – and that becomes clear when you take a look at her sporting CV.

She’s a two-time national champion and 2016 Paralympic champion, helping Team USA to bring home the gold in the wheelchair basketball.

And almost exactly a year after announcing her retirement, it’s the perfect time to sit down with Abby to talk about her extraordinary career.

We look at her love of the game; the medical conditions that left her unable to walk; bouncing back from hitting rock-bottom; the Paralympics; representation of the LGBTQ+ community in sport and so much more.

We think you’ll really like Abby, so definitely go and give her a follow!

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