Players from across the Gaelic Games associations are being encouraged to show their support for PRIDE and the LGBTQI+ community during this month.
For Pride month we are shining a light on the significant work being done to make Gaelic Games more inclusive sports for the LGBTQI+ community. An Allies & Ambassadors launch took place in Croke Park recently and representatives of the GAA, Camogie Association and LGFA as well as the Gaelic Players’ Association will march in the PRIDE parades in Dublin and Belfast.
The Gaelic Games Family first participated in PRIDE in Dublin in 2019. The three Gaelic Games Associations were the first sporting organisations to set up a Gender Diversity Working Group and transgender working group.
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy stated: “Having a person of the calibre of Ger McTavish in Croke Park as a full-time Diversity and Inclusion officer is a strong signal of how seriously the GAA is approaching Diversity and Inclusion. As a community-based organisation, we are interested in bringing everyone with us in promoting lifelong participation – whether on or off the field. An essential part of that is learning to be more welcoming and understanding about how we live up to our manifesto “Where We All Belong.”
The GAA, the LGFA, the Camogie Association and the GPA have set up a working group to celebrate LGBTQI+ activations dates throughout the month of June. Allies and Ambassador Maria Curley (Tipperary LGFA), Rory O’Connor (Wexford Hurling)., Stephen O’Hanlon (Monaghan Football), Aisling Maher (Dublin Camogie), Vikki Wall (Meath LGFA and GPA) launched these activations dates in Croke Park recently.
The Camogie Association have named the second round of the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Championship, PRIDE Round:
Uachtarán of the Camogie Association Hilda Breslin welcomed the extensive programme of events during June “This will be the second year of the PRIDE Round during the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Championship. It is important that we highlight and focus attention on the need for greater inclusiveness and diversity within the Gaelic Games family. The schedule of events during June are a great opportunity to do that. Our actions must extend beyond June and throughout every level of our Associations, to provide meaningful change for all.” Teams can register for PRIDE Round, which takes place on the weekend of June 17th and 18th here: https://forms.office.com/e/1YxW6zDmR6
Mícheál Naughton President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association stated:
“We’re delighted to join forces with the wider Gaelic Games family to celebrate Pride Month. As an Association, the LGFA prides itself on being an organisation that champions diversity and inclusivity, while we stand against all forms of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Month affords us the opportunity to gain more of an understanding and acknowledgement of the challenges that LGBTQ+ community members continue to face down in modern society. When it comes to breaking down many of the barriers that continue to face in their lives, we have come a long way but there is still a significant road to travel. Sport has a unique ability to help break down these barriers and Gaelic Games provides a platform where everybody can feel safe and included. Our inter-county players have the ability to act as role models in the fight against continued discrimination – and their messages of support can help LGBTQ+ players of all ages to find their place within the Gaelic Games family and to help them understand that no matter how isolated they may feel at times, they are never alone.”
GPA President Donal Og Cusack commented “The GPA is delighted to once again join the Gaelic Games family in celebrating Pride Month, a period of visibility and acknowledgement of the LGBTQ+ community, serving as a powerful reminder of the continuing struggle for acceptance and equality.
Sport has a great potential to influence inclusivity, challenge stereotypes and amplify the fight against discrimination, and Gaelic games can extend these messages deeply into wider Irish society. To this end, our intercounty players reaffirm their commitment, as both allies and ambassadors, to advocate for diverse and inclusive games, that support all current, former & future LGBTQ+ players to live authentically in all aspects of their lives. A message on this Pride Month for those young or old grappling with understanding their place in the world is simply ‘Be who you are!’ and I would encourage everyone across Gaelic Games to get involved across Pride Month in whatever way you can to show your support.”
There will be a visibility campaign the week of June 20th which builds up the participation by the GAA, Camogie Association, LGFA and GPA in the PRIDE Parades in Dublin on June 24 and in Belfast on July 29. Gaelic Games family members who interested in marching as part of the Gaelic Games participants in the parades in the club or county jerseys are welcome to do so. Please register your attendance for the Dublin Pride and Belfast pride on the form link below https://forms.office.com/e/e75UTmeT0R
The GAA & GPA will host a Pride Breakfast in Dublin on the morning of June 24th before joining with the Gaelic Games family to march in the Dublin Pride Parade. For more info, contact sinead@gaelicplayers.com.
Additional information can be found by contacting geraldine.mctavish@gaa.ie and sinead@gaelicplayers.com
