British Racing shows its supports for LGBTQ+ Pride on Social Media

For the next week, organisations from across racing will turn their social media profiles into a rainbow print to show support for #Pride2019, helping to create ‘Racing for Everyone’. Racing will be part of something much wider, as it joins the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating two key milestones: 28th June is the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York, which started the Pride celebrations we have today, and 6th July is Pride in London, the UK’s national Pride celebration.

The Diversity in Racing Steering Group has worked across the thoroughbred industry to encourage a united approach to #Pride2019, providing tools, information and links in support of Pride month.

“It is important that everyone, no matter what background or characteristics, is welcomed into racing and feels that they can be themselves without fear of discrimination or harassment,” said Rose Grissell, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the BHA.

“It is proven that an inclusive culture leads to an engaged workforce and fanbase, while it increases productivity, delivering better outcomes for our sport.

“Findings showed that the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual jockeys in Britain is broadly in line with that of the national population, most recently recorded at 6%, yet only one active jockey has ever publicly come out as gay, after which he claimed to lose rides from some trainers and owners,” added Grissell.

With support from Stonewall, racing will be joining other sports and wider businesses in supporting Pride Month this June and commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Pride movement.

The Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG) is committed to ensuring everyone can achieve their potential and all fans of all communities feel welcome in racing. The Diversity in Racing Action Plan published last year, called for the whole sport to unite in celebrating and promoting all forms of diversity across the sport.

Where can individuals get support?

• Racing Welfare: https://www.support.racingwelfare.co.uk/

• Professional Jockeys Association Confidential 24/7 Helpline and support: http://www.thepja.co.uk/members-info/mental-health-and-wellbeing/helpline/ 

• Stonewall: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/contact-stonewalls-information-service

Contact Rose Grissell, Head of Diversity & Inclusion on: rgrissell@britishhorseracing.com, +44 (0) 7771 376 384.