Liverpool will hold the inaugural celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) sporting personalities, showcasing role models from across the multi-disciplines of sport.

Hosted tomorrow [28 January] at Liverpool Football Club, the first premiership football club to march at a Pride event, the gala will incorporate a charity auction in aid of Diversity Role Models and Liverpool Pride with a number of LGBT sporting stars in attendance.

The gala hopes to boost engagement of both local and national sporting personalities, corporate social responsibility, LGBT youth and organisations to eradicate discrimination in sport and society through the power of sport.

Sally Walton, 2012 Olympic GB Hockey Bronze medal winner, says: “The visibility of high achieving gay athletes sends the message that their sexuality should not be a barrier to sporting success.”

Sophie Cook, the Premier League’s first trans photographer, adds: “It’s essential for LGBT people in sports to be visible in the same way that sporting champions inspire people. By being out and proud in their sports they give hope and strength to those who still fear bigotry and abuse.

Sophie Cook

“One day soon the sexuality or gender identity of people will be irrelevant, both in society and in sports.”

Notable figures attending include Claire Harvey, Paralympian; Sophie Cook; and Suzanne Smith and Nicola Hobbs from the FA Women’s’ Super League.

Sophie continues: “This Pride in Sport event sends out a clear message that it is possible to be out and proud in sports.

“That the bigotry around people’s sexuality or gender identity is losing its power and that sports, like society is beginning to embrace the diversity that makes everyone’s lives so much richer.”

The journey from a previous vision to becoming a reality has attracted headline sponsorship from Barclays, Respect, Football v Homophobia, Broken Rainbow and the British LGBT Awards.

Amy Stanning, co-chair of Barclays Spectrum (LGBT Colleague Network), says: “Barclays is proud to sponsor this inaugural event celebrating LGBT role models in sport.

“Barclays supports diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society as people give of their best when they can be themselves. Barclays is a leading employer in Liverpool, last week opening its refurbished Wavertree Centre for 1300 colleagues.”

Items up for auction have been donated by Barclays, Nigel Owens (Rugby World Cup final referee), Sue Perkins (TV presenter), Claire Balding (broadcaster & presenter), Debbie Mills (boxer), Kellie Maloney (boxing promoter), Liverpool Football Club, Wigan Football Club, Claire Harvey (Paralympian) and the Smith brothers (boxing).

Related posts:

Wizard of Oz inspired street transformation underway ‘Fan personalisation area’ planned for Anfield concourse Funding to send Liverpool gun crime play on tour Wizard of Oz inspired street transformation completed Route confirmed for this weekend’s Liverpool Pride March First Liverpool Independent Film Festival lines up eclectic programme