The LGBT Sport Podcast

Coming out to anyone is never easy - so imagine doing it to your Sunday league football team in front of a national television audience!

It's not something your average person goes through - but Richie Anderson isn't your AVERAGE guest.

He's part of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show who, along with Zoe Ball, wakes up the nation on the UK's most-listened to radio programme. He's also the Proud Baggies patron, a football nut - and a genuinely fantastic person.

This is one of our favourite episodes yet - with topics on the agenda including raising tens of thousands of pounds for Sport Relief; BBC Radio 2's '500 Words' contest - and whether it's the Spice Girls or West Brom that can claim to be his true love!

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Sting vs Hollywood Hogan, Starrcade 1997.

That's when professional wrestling first got into the veins of Anthony Bowens - and, ever since, the American athlete has been captivated by this unique form of sports-entertainment. He's also one of a growing number of LGBTQ+ individuals plying their trade inside the squared circle - something that hasn't always been easy to do.

In fact, if it weren't for being a wrestler, Anthony feels he may even have come out sooner.

He's our guest on this brand-new episode of the podcast, talking about his favourite matches; being a role model for the community; the abuse he received after coming out as bisexual, then as gay; and why WWE is the ultimate goal for him.

Anthony battled through traffic to make the interview - and we're delighted he did, as it was fantastic to have him onto the show.

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David Hill's Paralympic career began in the pool at the Games in Athens when he was just fifteen years old. It ended more than a decade later - after twelve years of medals at both a World and European level.

We're really grateful he's taken the time to join us for a brand new episode of the podcast - and spoken so honestly about why hiding his sexuality had such an impact on his performance in the pool, and how he got past that. Also on the agenda - the growth of para-sport; his work as a mentor and coach; and how he relaxes by making furniture!

Even as a proud Cornishman, this is one Devonian we were happy to have on the show - and we think you'll really like him.

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By day, she works as an engineer in offshore drilling.

But Kristen Fraser is also one of Scotland's leading boxers - the first professional female from the country, and the first to ever win a Commonwealth title. So, not a bad record for someone who first started getting into the sport at a time when it was illegal for women to step into the ring!

She's now targeting a bid for a world championship - and, alongside her wife, is preparing to become a parent - and we're delighted she took some time to join us on the podcast.

On the agenda - her memories of her first fight; being a role model to the LGBTQ+ community; getting a work-life balance right; and why Katie Taylor is such an inspiration.

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Clare Balding.

If you've watched or listened to ANY sport over the past 25 years, you'll know all about her work.

And if you've been living under a rock, the CV tells its own story - Olympic Games, Paralympics, Winter Olympics, Crufts, Trooping the Colour; and all of that in addition to be a best-selling author and campaigner for better coverage of women's sport.

We're absolutely chuffed to welcome Clare to the podcast - as she talks about how she got her start in broadcasting; how she reflects on her 'coming out' story; and whether she'd have done anything differently. Also on the agenda - Bert Le Clos; the event she's proudest of covering; and what's next for her.

This is one of our favourite episodes yet - and we're so grateful Clare could take the time to join us.

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She was inspired to get into bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger - and now, Amazin LeThi uses her platform to promote messages of inclusion, both through her own foundation and her work as an ambassador for Athlete Ally.

She's our guest on a brand-new episode of the podcast - as we talk about why bodybuilding was the sport she was drawn to in the first place; some of the discrimination she originally encountered in it; how perceptions of women in sport are changing; and who the role models are that she admires now.

She's a really perceptive, considered guest - and we're grateful she could find some time to chat with us. Not only that, but she's the first power-lifter we've had on the programme!

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There are plenty of special things about being part of a sport club.

The friendships you make, the competitions you win, the experiences you get - they're all part and parcel of it. But for people from the LGBT community who have experienced homophobic or transphobic abuse in sport, finding a club where you actually fit in is extra special.

It's why the London Royals Hockey Club are all about inclusivity - and Tom Simpson, Beth Bennett and Sarah Nottle all have first-hand experience of the difference the club has made in their lives.

They're three brilliant guests - and on the agenda is everything from the Gay Games to the best way to deal with a honking keeper's kit!

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She's someone who has travelled the world, reporting on some of the biggest events in sport for the BBC.

From the Tour De France to the Hockey World Cup, Jo Currie is usually on the scene when the big sporting stories are happening - and, if that wasn't enough, she's also one of the nicest people in broadcasting.

She joins us to talk about how she got started in sports journalism; about LGBT representation in the media; who she looks up to in broadcasting; and a cringeworthy encounter at Sports Personality of the Year.

She's absolutely fab - and we hope you love her as much as we do.

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On this episode, we're swapping coming out for getting out and about!

OutdoorLads runs activities for gay, bi and trans men across the UK - with activities that range from hiking to sailing! Liam Russell from the group joins us to talk more about that; the importance of staying active when it comes to mental health; and pushing himself further than he realised he could.

He's a really engaging chap - and we're grateful he's taken the time to join us!

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For Hudson Taylor, it all started with a sticker on a headgear.

The decision to wear a Pride symbol on his wrestling uniform drove the straight amateur wrestler from the United States to set up one of the world's largest organisations supporting LGBT individuals in sport - Athlete Ally.

He joins us to talk about the difference that Athlete Ally is making; how straight sportspeople can be allies - and how he manages to relax in his down-time. Hudson is a really interesting, thought-provoking guest - and we're really grateful to have him on the show.

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