The LGBT Sport Podcast

'I hope sharing my coming out story may have some resonance, and help even one person that may be battling the same as I did'.

That was the email we got, out of the blue, from Greg McLean - the founder of St Margaret's Old Boys FC and a referee with the Liverpool County FA - and when someone says that to you, you know you just HAVE to get them on the podcast.

We're so glad we did - because we think Greg says things a lot of you will be able to relate to, from the fear of coming out to team-mates, to the isolation that can come with being LGBT in sport at a grass-roots level, to what it meant to be accepted by his team-mates.

And as for his predictions about Liverpool's title chances - well, we'll let you be the judge on that!

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Clubs and organisations across the UK will wear rainbow-coloured laces this weekend to show their support for combating homophobia and transphobia in sport.

It’s the fifth year that Rainbow Laces has been run - and who better to tell us about it than Kirsty Clarke, the Director of Sport at Stonewall.

She's brilliant at talking about the relevance of the campaign; about some of the issues the initiative is hoping to address; and about some of her sporting heroes, as she discusses her own personal journey.

We're really grateful she could take the time to speak with us - and we hope you like her as much as we do!

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As guests go, you can't get much better than a coach who has won the World Cup - and picked up the FIFA World Coach of the Year Award in the process.

But that's exactly what Jill Ellis has accomplished as the coach of the US Women's National Team - as part of a career that has also included plenty of success as a coach in the collegiate system.

Not bad for someone who was told football wasn't for her when she was growing up as a youngster in the UK!

We're really grateful that Jill took time out from the US Women's team's tour of Europe to talk with us about everything from that amazing World Cup win to her own personal journey to coming out in the sport - and we think you'll like this as well.

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If you've read a story over the past couple of years about LGBTQ+ individuals or teams in sport, there's a fairly good chance that Jon Holmes has been the one to bring it to you.

The Sky Sports Home Page Editor is one of the most prominent voices in promoting sporting stories from the LGBTQ+ community - and also helped bring the Sports Media LGBT+ group to life.

Basically, he's does what we do - but better, and for a longer time! - so we thought it was about time we got him on the show. He's a fascinating chap t chat with, and talks about how he got his start in the industry, what an 'average' day is like in the Sky Sports newsroom - and how the media does when it comes to representing the LGBTQ+ community in sport.

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I think it's fair to say there's a certain image of rugby lads, right? Confident, sure of themselves - and not averse to a little bit of public nudity! But that's not always the case.

Cisgendered and transgendered rugby players from inclusive clubs across the UK have been taking part in something called the Naked Rugby Players project. It's a calendar that draws attention to some of the body image issues that men face - and encourages them to check themselves for signs of cancer at the same time.

Not only that, but it's also raising money for the inclusive teams themselves.

Simon Chapman from the Northampton Outlaws is one of the players taking part, while Monty McKinnen is the man who took the photos. They're both cracking chaps with lots of interesting things to say about sport, inclusivity, and the calendar itself.

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The clocks are going back - the weather is getting chillier - it really ISN'T cricketing weather, is it?

But if you are missing the sound of leather on willow, this episode of the BBC's LGBT Sport Podcast is for you.

Jonathan Hardisty is from Graces - the world's first (to their knowledge) and only gay cricket club. He's been talking to us about how it started; about why cricket is a more accepting sport than some others; about the courage it takes to come out in sport; and about his favourite players of all-time.

He's a super chap - and a really great guest - so we hope you enjoy this one.

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It was a film that generated an awful lot of buzz this summer - the story of two young football professionals who fall in love, and the tale of what happens next.

To mark the DVD release of 'Mario', actor Aaron Altaras - who plays Leon in the movie - joins the show to talk about why he took the part; why it's so relevant now - and what on Earth happened to Germany at this year's World Cup?!

Plus, we look back at one of the best bits from 'The Other Side' and keep the football theme going, as we revisit our chat with Jim Hearson from the London Titans.

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He's competed the world over - and made history in the process - and now, pro wrestler Mike Parrow joins the BBC LGBT Sport Podcast.

He talks about his experiences of coming out in the world of pro wrestling, the reception he received, and the surprising response he had from some members of the LGBT community.

And - as a disclaimer - Jack Murley loves wrestling ... so there's also talk of in-ring psychology, what makes a great match and more.

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If you've been on social media today, you may have noticed a certain topic is trending.

#ComeOutForTransEquality has been all over posts throughout the day - which makes the guest on this episode particularly appropriate.

Rowena Purdy is a championship-winning rally driver who helped fly Vulcans in the RAF, and has been writing about motorsports for more than a quarter of a century.

She also transitioned later in life and, now in her mid-70s, has got an awful lot to talk about - from developing a love of rallying in Kenya to travelling around the world, to how she decided when the time was right to transition.

She's a great guest - and we really think you'll like her.

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This week's LGBT Sport Podcast from the BBC shines a spotlight on a brand-new club - as Andy Smith from the Westcountry Wasps rugby team joins us.

Andy talks about why he helped co-found the club; his experiences of inclusive rugby; and why he, as a straight man, decided to get involved in the first place.

Then, there's a best bit from our old show 'The Other Side' - as we take a trip through the archives with Ben Smith to talk about why he decided to complete 401 marathons in 401 days.

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Ben Smith and the 401 Challenge: https://www.the401challenge.co.uk/