The LGBT Sport Podcast

There's not a lot to cheer about at the moment if you're a Huddersfield Town fan - but maybe the side's inclusive supporters group will put a smile on your face.

It was founded by Ryan Mather - and is all about the philosophy that football is for everybody. So why did Ryan decide to start this LGBTQ+ supporters club - and what difference has it made in his life?

He's been talking to us about that; about his experiences of homophobia in the game; and what Huddersfield Town need to do to bounce back from a season that's been tricky ... to put it mildly!

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She's a six-time winner on the European Tour, a three-time Solheim Cup player - and a woman who has fought doggedly for equality in the sport of golf.

And at the end of last year, Britain's Mel Reid decided to open up for the first time about her sexuality when she came out publicly as gay. So, why did she do it - and what has life been like since?

We're delighted that Mel took time out from a well-earned day off to chat to the podcast - as we discuss how she got into golf, why she didn't think her article with Athlete Ally would be such a big deal, why it's important to give back to the game, and the boxset she's binged on recently ... which probably isn't what you'd expect!

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No messing about here - this episode with Keegan Hirst is one of the most hard-hitting we've done since we started this podcast.

The rugby league star become the first openly gay English player back in 2016 - and in this edition of the show, we talk about how it happened. The lack of role models; the environment he was brought up in; the impact it had on his own two children; the contemplation of taking his own life - it all comes up in this show.

But there are also lighter moments - like how he had no interest in rugby as a kid; how Antony Cotton from Coronation Street fame has helped him with his 'gay education'; and why there's a video floating around of Keegan as The Rock.

So, stop reading this, and go and listen - and we think you'll find Keegan as compelling a guest as we do. What's more, he's a top bloke as well, and we're really grateful he took the time to join us.

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We'll be honest - some episodes just click, and this is one of them.

We've wanted to have the Northampton Outlaws on for a little while - and we decided the perfect time to do it was now, fresh off their triumph in the IGR Southern League.

So, we got Simon Chapman and Simon Law from the inclusive club into the studio for a really fun conversation about a whole load of things. On the agenda - how they both got involved with the team; plans for the Union Cup; training with the awesome James Haskell; and how much they ACTUALLY remember of the weekend they claimed the league championship.

They're both terrific chaps - and we loved having them on.

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@SimanChapman

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/northamptonoutlawsrfc

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What would you do if you wanted to play football - but couldn't find a club.

Most of us would sigh, shrug our shoulders and find another sport to try - but Laura Montgomery isn't most people.

When she decided she wanted to play the game at a higher, more organised level, she decided to co-found Glasgow City - which has gone onto become one of the most successful teams in Scotland.

Started in 1998, it has become a dominant force, winning multiple titles and cups - becoming the first Scottish team to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League in the process. And as if that wasn't enough to keep Laura busy, she's also the Head of Sales and Sponsorship at Hibernian.

We loved having Laura on - she's a fascinating, eloquent individual with so much drive and determination. A fitting guest for the 40th episode of the podcast!

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She wowed viewers across the UK as she made her way to the final of Masterchef - but before that, Jilly McCord excelled in a very different way.

The Scottish schoolteacher represented her country on the rugby field - playing at the 2006 World Cup and eventually captaining the national side - and combined it with life as a school-teacher. And all of that was BEFORE the whirlwind of Masterchef, which took her right around the world.

So, we had plenty to talk with her about - and we really, really enjoyed having her on, talking about everything from LGBT role models to finding out you're going to skipper your country while in the Tesco carpark. And Jilly, you can make us a pasty anytime!

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What's it like to be the person in charge of a football club - and not just any club, but one with the history of Leeds United?

It's a position very few people have held - but David Haigh is one of them.

During his time as a managing director at Elland Road, he championed initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion - which is something he continues to do in his current role with the FA in Cornwall, and as a key player with the local side in Penzance.

There's also another side to David, who is a prominent lawyer and human rights activist who was imprisoned in a UAE jail for 22 months - and he'll tell his own story of that time in a way that some of you may find uncomfortable to listen to. However, given the current situation in Brunei, it seemed strange not to get into that side of David's life.

Also on the agenda: the so-called 'gay day' at Leeds United; his friendship with Robbie Rogers; and how football fans can help make the game more ethical.

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He's the former Exeter University student who is also the European Age Group Triathlon Champion.

But Jack Bristow has also made headlines away from the sport - after successfully helping persuade its governing body to reverse a ban it introduced on LGBT athletes flying the Pride flag.

And, still in his mid-20s, Jack is determined to make sure gay sportspeople get the representation they deserve.

He's a terrific guest to have on the podcast - as we discuss being inspired by the Brownlees at the London Olympics; the financial costs of making it in the triathlon world; and exactly WHAT you may find on his Twitter feed.

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He's a columnist, a podcaster - and one of the very few male footballers who came out as gay while still actively playing the game.

In fact, Adam McCabe still runs out for the Georgia Revolution in the National Premier Soccer League in the United States and is one of the most articulate, eloquent guests we've had on yet on what it's like to be closeted in sport - and his own coming out story.

Also on the agenda; how straight, cis-gendered players can be allies to LGBT team-mates; how Robbie Rogers inspired him; his childhood love for Steven Gerrard; and making the switch to asking the questions, rather than answering them!

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The Six Nations is coming to an end - so we thought it was worth taking a dip into our archives to revisit some of our top guests from the world of rugby.

So, in this episode, we're going to hear again from ...

- The iconic rugby referee Nigel Owens on how he got into officiating in the first place, and the pressure of social media.

- Verity Smith talks about life as a transgender rugby player - and some of the challenges that have come with playing the game he loves.

- Andy Smith is the co-founder of the Westcountry Wasps - so what makes a cisgendered, heterosexual man want to help start an inclusive club?

They're three fantastic guests we were delighted to have on - and a great demonstration of why rugby can be such an inclusive sport for the LGBTQ+ community.

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