Broadcaster Clare Balding has hailed the launch of Racing With Pride, the official LGBT+ network for British racing.
An initiative from the Diversity in Racing Steering Group (DiRSG), Racing With Pride aims to support the sport’s participants, workforce and fans who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBT+) .
It also seeks to promote a better understanding of LGBT+ inclusion and provide a platform for the sport’s LGBT+ community to have a collective voice in shaping the industry’s future LGBT+ activity.
Balding, who has covered racing since 1995 and married her partner Alice Arnold in 2015, said: “Racing is trying hard to embrace a wider audience and to make its own diverse work force feel confident and comfortable. This platform is a welcome innovation, and I hope will encourage more LGBT people already in racing to feel appreciated and supported.
“As for those who have yet to discover the beauty of racehorses and the fun of a race day, I look forward to when we can celebrate with the first Pride Racing Festival – which will no doubt have a carnival atmosphere!”
Rose Grissell, head of diversity and inclusion at the British Horseracing Authority, added: “Given the recent coronavirus pandemic, many of us have experienced increased feelings of isolation and loneliness over the past few months, and research shows that these feelings and associated mental-health issues are heightened within the LGBT+ community.
“We recognise this additional vulnerability and believe now is the right time to ensure racing’s LGBT+ participants and fans feel included and valued.
“We hope to create a fun and fully inclusive community by providing a safe space for members to come together and share their experiences and to show that British racing understands the need for everyone involved in the industry to feel welcome.”