Creating Inclusive Clubs: Pride Month 2026

This article explores how BWL clubs can provide welcoming and inclusive spaces for individuals identifying as LGBTQ+.

British Weight Lifting’s 2026 – 2030 strategy sets out a clear ambition to strengthen weightlifting and para powerlifting across the United Kingdom by growing participation, delivering sustainable international success and building stronger communities around our sports. The strategy is built around the central idea that ‘strong’ means something different for everyone; from elite athletes and first-time lifters to volunteers, coaches and communities.

The vision is to create a future ‘where every lift builds strength, confidence, opportunity and connection, helping everybody find their strong’. The mission is to strengthen weightlifting and para powerlifting from grassroots to podium by developing the people, places and pathways that create more lifts and better lifters.

BWL Sport Development Manager, Hannah Bussey, commented “Starting to exercise or trying a new sport is a daunting thing to do. On top of this, many LGBTQ+ people have experienced discrimination when trying to exercise and feel their sexuality is an additional barrier to participation in sport.

Many people who’ve felt like this have found weightlifting or para powerlifting and enjoy the support of a BWL club to keep coming back. We’re thankful to all BWL clubs providing this experience and leading with inclusion.

By listening and learning, BWL and its clubs can help more LGBTQ+ people discover lifting in a place where they can be themselves.

Welcoming spaces are essential to the future of our sports. Anyone wanting to start lifting should feel comfortable, respected and supported when they walk into a club, regardless of their background or identity.”

LGBTQ+ in sport, the stats:

• 37% of LGBTQ+ respondents said they “had experienced discrimination by someone else’s behaviour, attitudes or language while exercising or trying to exercise”. (YouGov poll, 2026)
• More than a third of LGBTQ+ people felt that their sexuality was a barrier to participation in sport, exercise or other forms of movement. (YouGov poll, 2026)
• 45% of those from LGBTQ+ communities are not meeting Government-recommended levels of vigorous exercise. (YouGov poll, 2026)
• Physical activity can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress. (NHS)

Tips on reaching out to LGBT+ communities:

Do you demonstrate inclusive values on your social media?

For many LGBTQ+ people, showing up to a new club comes with an extra fear of exclusion or judgment, so your social media feed is an opportunity to give people a sense of the environment and the community behind it. Showing inclusive values and visible support for LGBTQ+ people (in your own way) helps signal that your space is respectful, welcoming, and built for everyone who wants to train, improve, and feel part of a strong community — creating a sense of belonging before someone even walks through the door.

Principles to navigate LGBTQ+ terms respectfully

• Be kind and respectful. That’s always the most important thing.
• Ask if you’re unsure. If you don’t know how someone identifies or wants to be described, it’s okay to ask, just do so with care
• Avoid assumptions. Don’t assume someone’s identity based on how they look or sound
• Keep listening and learning.

How can we create a safe space for LGBTQ+ participation in sport?

The following information has been taken from the Energise Me Pride in our Workforce resources.

Discover the full resource pack here

Tips from participants:

• Listen to what I have to say
• Use gender neutral language like ‘partner’ or significant other.
• Reassure me about confidentiality and processes and procedures the organisation has in place to support me if needed.
• Respect my individual identity and use the same terms that I use for myself.
• Use the pronouns that I asked to be used. If you make a mistake apologise and move on.
• Be honest if you do not understand something.
• Create sign-up forms that allow me the option to state my gender preference.
• Do not make assumptions about me or what I need.

Pride Taster Sessions

• Could you run taster sessions linked to local Pride events, proactively reaching out to LGBT+ communities to show you are there and would welcome engagement? If you are looking for more information about local Pride events, your local council is a good place to start. For reference, Pride Month is June and LGBT+ History Month is February.

LGBT+ Sessions

• Could you look to run an LGBT+ session – as a stepping stone to the regular sessions within your organisation? Or perhaps a regular separate session - if in doubt ask!
• ‘Come and Try’ sessions are a great idea. They enable people to get a feel for the activity and meet the team
• Promote your LGBT+ session on Pride Sport’s LGBT+ Club Finder (https://pridesports.org.uk)
• Invite people to come down for a tour (this could be a video on your social media) and a chat, get a feel for the environment and assess whether it feels right for them.

Energise Me has also produced a resource that covers common scenarios for sport providers including:

• You think you are inclusive but some recent customer feedback suggests otherwise. What steps do you take and how do you ensure you communicate your actions effectively?

Read the full resource here