It’s LGBT+ History Month, so it’s only appropriate that we speak to another history maker on the podcast – and that’s exactly what Ryan Atkin is.

He became the first out gay referee working in the men’s game in the UK when he came out in 2017.

And since then, Ryan has used his experiences and platform to help others in the beautiful game, with many crediting him for inspiring their own decision to come out.

Ryan’s popped up on the podcast from time to time, but has never had a full episode dedicated to himself - so today, we’re putting that right!

We chat about all sorts of things – getting into refereeing; some of his most memorable games as he worked his way up the pyramid; taking the decision to share his story; supporting others in the game; and life for him since.

Plus we try and settle a very important question that has been dogging people from Cornwall and Devon for generations!

It’s a cracker of a conversation that we think you’re going to love, and we’re really grateful to Ryan for joining us for it.

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It’s been two years since James Child made a little bit of history, as the Super League referee opened up for the first time on this podcast about the fact he happened to be gay.

A lot has changed since then – as he took charge of the Challenge Cup Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, officiated at a home World Cup, appeared on Question of Sport, became a dad for the first time, and announced his retirement.

So, it was high time to get him back onto the podcast to talk about everything that has been happening in his life over the past couple of years – and it really doesn’t disappoint.

We talk about life as a new dad; the reaction to him sharing his story; supporting others who reached out to him; that Challenge Cup Final; moving away from refereeing and so much more!

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When Luke Fisher was a kid, he used to set the video tape running to make sure he was able to record ice-hockey games from the NHL overnight to watch in the morning.

Times have moved on since then, but Luke’s love of the game hasn’t changed – and now, it’s not just his sporting love but his work as well, with both the Elite League in the UK and handling social media for the NHL as well.

Luke dropped us a message about what he’s doing in the sport – and with the Elite League’s Pride Week almost upon us, it was the perfect time to get him on for a chat.

And this one is an absolute cracker – we talk about ice-hockey, obviously; but also about making social media work; about inclusivity being driven from the ground upwards; making this year bigger and better; and also about Luke’s other love of Eurovision!

Honestly, it’s a belting chat – and we think you’ll love it!

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It’s been more than three years since Michael Gunning made his first appearance on the podcast – and a lot has changed since then.

The international swimmer popped back up last year to talk briefly about the formation of the Commonwealth Pride Network, but we haven’t had the chance to properly speak to him since then.

So today, he’s having a return visit and a whole episode to himself, as we look at what the past few years have been like for him.

And in short, there’s been a lot going on – he retired from swimming, filmed a documentary with Tom Daley, worked with Pride House at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and so much more besides.

We always say that Michael is one of the nicest people we get to have on the podcast, and it really is true – so we think you’ll enjoy this one as much as we did.

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We’re kicking off 2023 on the podcast with a trip back to the grassroots, and a cracking conversation with someone doing their bit to try and make the beautiful game open for everyone.

Zack Leader is Lincolnshire FA’s new LGBTQ+ ambassador – and a man who lives and breathes the beautiful game.

He’s also someone who knows a fair bit about adrenaline rushes, having previously been a British gravity bike champion – and as a Spurs fan, we were always going to like him.

We talk about the role football played for him growing up; getting back into playing after a long time away; his most memorable moments; his experiences as an LGBTQ+ person in sport, including some of the homophobia he’s encountered; his new role with the Lincolnshire FA and lots, lots more.

It’s a great way to kick start our fifth year of the podcast, and we think you’ll love it.

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So another year comes to an end.

And even by our standards on this podcast, it's been a massively busy one - so we wanted to wrap things up with the second part of our 'Best Bits' special with some of the most memorable moments from July-December.

So in this episode, we'll remind ourselves of our chats with:

- Stephen Fry

Honestly, there have been so many amazing guests in 2022 - more than we could ever fit in! - and we've got more of the same lined up for what's promising to be an amazing 2023!

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He’s one of the rising stars of the British wrestling scene.

Along with partner Jack Tayson, Adam Bolt has performed for promotions across the country.

And in 2021, he spoke for the first time publicly about the fact he was bisexual – and was sharing his story to help other LGBTQ+ people in the industry.

We love doing professional wrestling on the podcast, and Adam is someone we’ve wanted to have on the show for ages – so it was cracking to get this one done.

We talk about what got Adam into wrestling; his favourite wrestlers; his favourite matches; his coming out journey and why he’s been a better wrestler as a result; performing at WAW’s Pride Show – yeah, this one really is a cracker.

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Snow is falling, the night's have drawn in - and there are only a few days left in 2022.

So it seemed like the perfect time to take a look back at the past year on the podcast, and remind ourselves of some of the amazing guests who joined us for a chat over the last twelve months.

This episode takes us back through January to June - where we'll remind ourselves of our conversations with:

- Scottish badminton star Kirstie Gilmour

So, all those amazing conversations, just from the first part of 2022 alone - and in an upcoming episode, we'll take remind ourselves of some of the great guests who joined us in the later part of the year!

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There’s no other way to put it – Abbie Eaton is a very cool person.

The British racing driver has travelled around the world, competing in races across the globe – and pitted her driving wits against Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on The Grand Tour.

After some time out of racing due to an injury we talk about in this episode, she’s now back behind the wheel – and is continuing to make change in the sport as an ambassador for Racing Pride.

So, we’re absolutely delighted to have Abbie onto the podcast to talk about her journey, both on and off the track.

We talk about how motor-racing was always her passion; about breaking in and some of the financial hardships that people don’t talk about; her most memorable drives; those Grand Tour memories; being a role-model for other LGBTQ+ people in motorsports and so much more besides!

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Josh Jones has been cycling for the better part of a decade.

Road-racing, cycle-cross, a bit of mountain-biking as well – he’s done it all!

But it didn’t always feel like the culture in cycling was particularly welcoming to LGBTQ+ racers like Josh, which is why he started ALL IN Racing.

The not-for-profit initiative is working to make the sport inclusive of LGBTQ+ folk at all levels of cycling – and this winter, it funded its first-ever race using proceeds from the sale of its Rainbow Socks.

So, we couldn’t wait to get Josh onto the podcast to talk all about it – from starting ALL IN to his own experiences in cycling to the success they had in Andover in November with supporting the Supercross UCI event.

Whether you're an elite-level cyclist or a fair-weather rider, this is a conversation we think you'll love!

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