The Government has launched an action plan to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport. Vicki Baars (NUS LGBT, Women’s Place) signed the charter on behalf of NUS LGBT earlier this month and she encourages all students, unions, and institutions to do likewise!
What is the 'Charter for Action'?
The government’s 'Charter for Action' is a campaign to stomp out homophobia and transphobia in sport, which has been backed by some of the UK’s biggest sports bodies, as well as the NUS LGBT Campaign.
It has four main statements of intent:
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Everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport
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Sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity
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We will work together to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia
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We will make sport a welcome place for everyone
What can I do?
You and your students’ union or institution can also sign up to the charter. All you have to do is ‘like’ the Facebook page or email the Government Equalities Office at sportscharter@geo.gsi.gov.uk.
Everyone who signs the Charter is encouraged to take a photograph of themselves signing it, which can be posted on the Facebook page and elsewhere. See the photo of Vicki Baars signing the charter above!
Logo Competition
The Government Equalities Office has also launched a competition to find a logo for the sports charter, which is open to everyone. The competition will run until 18 January.
Rugby star Ben Cohen will shortlist the top entries and the general public will vote for the winning design through the sports charter Facebook page. For more information, see the sports Charter website.
Out in Sport
Sport is at the centre of much of what NUS LGBT is doing this year. Out in Sport, one of our priority campaigns, aims to support students’ unions and institutions to make sport more inclusive for LGBT students.
As a part of this project, NUS LGBT will be running focus groups to research LGBT students’ experiences of sport. If you are interested in running a focus group in your campus or you want to find out how you can promote our research, please email lgbt@nus.org.uk