🗣️“People who are our friends, teammates and supporters have been detained or jailed... They are part of the closest circle around our groups.” The anti #LGBTQ crackdown in Turkey is impacting on queer sports clubs. For @outsports.com, I spoke to leaders of two teams who fear for their future.

Turkish LGBTQ sports clubs hit by arrests in anti-gay crackdown - Outsports

LGBTQ sports clubs in Turkey have told Outsports that their teammates are among those arrested in the Erdogan government’s crackdown.

outsports.com

🎥 September 2016 saw the premiere of WONDERKID, an independent short film about a young professional footballer who is gay and is struggling to come out. Written and directed by Rhys Chapman, the drama had a huge impact and within months, it was being broadcast to the nation by Sky Sports.

NEW: 15 #LGBTQsports clubs from across London and the South-East have been shortlisted in the various categories of the Out For Sport Awards 2026. It’s the fifth edition of the Awards, and Out For Sport’s co-chair David Lionetti says the strength of nominations reflects the power of the community.

Out For Sport Awards shortlist revealed as London's LGBTQ+ sports community gears up for gala night

Fifth edition of awards event celebrating achievements of LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs across London and the South-East will be held on October 16; 15 different teams, groups and organisations repres...

sportsmedialgbt.com

"For one day, they created a space where queer people could run, dance, compete and celebrate together without apology." 👏 Loved this uplifting photo-essay about the courageous attendees of the inaugural Pride Playoffs in Ibadan, Nigeria. ✍️ Temiloluwa Johnson, @autostraddle.bsky.social #LGBTQ

PHOTOESSAY: Nigeria's First Pride Playoffs

What does it look like when queer people create traditions of their own? This is it.

autostraddle.com

NEW: #BiVisibilityDay can be a reminder of just how rare the representation is for athletes from that part of our community. When Jack Dunne came out publicly in 2021, he'd already been welcomed by his teammates. He's still the only out male player in elite pro rugby. An @outsports.com interview

On Bi Visibility Day, pro rugby player Jack Dunne is glad to be out - Outsports

Jack Dunne, the only out active player in elite men's rugby, tells Outsports about 'culture shock' of Japan and why Bi Visibility Day matters.

outsports.com

Today is Bi Visibility Day, particularly significant among the awareness days in the LGBTQ calendar, because bi+ folks make up the majority of our community, but don’t see themselves represented so often - not least in sports. 🩷💜💙 Sharing a quote about how Freddie Mercury helped to inspire the day…

A champion to celebrate: Bisexual icon Freddie Mercury, the fabulous new Wembley Stadium mural, and his favourite sports

The legendary singer, who would have turned 80 this month, helped to inspire Bisexual Awareness Week.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

🗓️ Keeping it real on Bi Visibility Day with some handy sports-specific advice… 🩷💜💙

Football v Homophobia@footballvhomophobia.com · 2d ago

🩷💜💙 With a little extra awareness, we can all help to make our football and sports spaces more welcoming for everyone… 🗓️ September 23 is Bisexual Visibility Day, originally titled as Celebrate Bisexuality Day ⚽️🌈 To mark the day, we’re sharing 3️⃣ ways to be an ally to bi people in sports…

It’s Bi Awareness Week, leading up to Bi Visibility Day on Wednesday 🩷💜💙 Ahead of marking the day, we’re re-sharing our chat with Lewis from @proudskyblues.co.uk Interested in helping us celebrate the bi+ community in football? Reach out! 📧, DM or tag us in 🙌 #LGBTQ #BiWeek #BiVisibilityDay

Proud Sky Blues founder Lewis Wale on Bi Visibility Day

Coventry City’s LGBTQ+ and allies fan group, Proud Sky Blues, is celebrating its second anniversary founder Lewis Wale talks about the journey so far and the importance of Bi Visibility Day on Septemb...

footballvhomophobia.com

'Plans have collapsed for a £10 million “Visit Ghana” campaign that could have attracted gay fans of England’s Sunderland AFC football/soccer team to the West African nation that’s close to enacting a bill that would jail LGBTQ+ tourists and their supporters' 76crimes.com/2026/09/15/g...

Ghana's £10m deal is dead; gay fans won't be lured to homophobic nation

Plans have collapsed for a £10 million “Visit Ghana” campaign that could have attracted gay  fans of England's Sunderland AFC football/soccer team to the West

76crimes.com

an anonymous editor just gave 2,480 characters to “Gay Gooners”. No one asked; no one will pay. They spent their hours making the world a little more complete anyway.

Gay Gooners

The Gay Gooners, occasionally stylised as GayGooners, are the official LGBTQ supporters' group for Arsenal F.C., a British association football club. Formed in February 2013, they are widely recognised as the first LGBTQ supporters' club in English football and the first LGBTQ supporters' group in UK football to march at Pride in London. They have since grown to become the largest such group in England, with more than 2,000 members and allies as of 2025, according to the club. Their Bluesky account states that the group now has over 2,500 members, making them the world's largest LGBTQ+ football fan group.

en.wikipedia.org

UK 🇬🇧 A new 30ft mural at Wembley Park Stadium is celebrating bisexual icon Freddie Mercury, whose September birthday helped inspire Celebrate Bisexuality Day. Sports Media LGBTIQ explore his enduring legacy. buff.ly/VoMGN7V

NEW: Could LGBT+-inclusive grassroots football leagues fit into the new FA-affiliated mixed adult football format? In its 20th anniversary year, the London Unity League recently considered this option - but it’s not being pursued, at least for now. Here’s a look at the reasons why... #LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️

‘Inappropriate to proceed’ - why an LGBT+ league said no to FA-affiliated mixed football

In the second part of a series of articles on the FA’s new offering of affiliated mixed adult football, Sports Media LGBT+ reports on challenging discussions within the London Unity League.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

NEW: The Freddie Mercury mural at Wembley, unveiled in the month of what would have been his 80th birthday, is a fitting tribute to the writer and singer of soaring sports anthems who also had sporting talents. In Bisexual Awareness Week, a look at Freddie’s life through an #LGBTQ sports lens… 🏓🌈

A champion to celebrate: Bisexual icon Freddie Mercury, the fabulous new Wembley Stadium mural, and his favourite sports

The legendary singer, who would have turned 80 this month, helped to inspire Bisexual Awareness Week.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

🗣️ “For both men to make a final really underlines the benefits of being yourself. It's not just that they went public, but that they’re making progress and achieving more as out players” - @jonhholmes.bsky.social on Brunold vs Reis & its #LGBTQ significance ✍️ @ozdale.bsky.social, The First Serve 🎾🌈

How one Challenger final became a landmark moment for men's tennis

Hours before the tennis world turned its attention to Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev in the US Open final, another men's title match was unfolding at the NÖ Open Challenger in Tulln, Austria.The tou...

thefirstserve.com.au

🥋 “This was a massive assault that carried the risk of severe physical injury." Timo Cavelius is being supported by his judo federation in Germany, after an opponent's assault left him with a broken jaw. Cavelius made Olympic history in 2024 as an out gay male judoka. For @outsports.com #LGBTQ

Gay judo champion suffers broken jaw after post-match assault - Outsports

Timo Cavelius, an out gay athlete who made Olympic judo history at Paris 2024, suffered a broken jaw in a shocking assault at a competition. He could miss L.A. 2028 as a result.

outsports.com

Subscribing gives you the chance to directly support independent #LGBTQ sports journalism, which is vital to our industry’s future. Choose a paid subscription, and you have the opportunity to help shape the output. Find out more here, and check out the Substack for news, opinion and storytelling…

Stay in the LGBT+ sports loop - subscribe and support on Substack

Sports Media LGBT+ is publishing on Substack; simply subscribe with your email address to receive new posts and newsletters; consider supporting independent LGBT+ sports journalism with a paid subscri...

sportsmedialgbt.com

🏆 Mika Brunold beats Joao Lucas Reis 6-4 6-3 - the first career ATP Challenge Tour title for the Swiss.

Sports Media LGBT+@sportsmedialgbt.com · 2w ago

🎾🌈 Joao Lucas Reis’ coming out in 2024 paved the way for Mika Brunold to do the same the following year. They’re both conscious of the impact they are making as gay men in pro tennis. Now in a twist of fate, the two men will contest an ATP Challenger Tour final in Austria… Why it matters. #LGBTQ

🎾🌈 Joao Lucas Reis’ coming out in 2024 paved the way for Mika Brunold to do the same the following year. They’re both conscious of the impact they are making as gay men in pro tennis. Now in a twist of fate, the two men will contest an ATP Challenger Tour final in Austria… Why it matters. #LGBTQ

Why Mika Brunold facing fellow out gay tennis pro Joao Lucas Reis in a final really matters

Brunold and Reis will make LGBT+ sports history when they contest an ATP Challenger Tour final on Sunday.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

NEW: Hull City are getting tough on homophobic chanting, banning 3 fans for 3 years each, and sending out a clear warning ahead of Saturday’s game at Chelsea. A look at the media coverage shows a markedly mixed picture. How newsworthy is a story about discrimination these days? #FvH2026

Fans banned for THREE YEARS for homophobic chanting - but is the message getting through?

Hull City take strong action and warn fans ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. There’s a mixed response from mainstream media.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

After 9/11, I searched for someone like me. I found gay American hero Mark Bingham. - www.outsports.com/2026/9/11/24...

Kye Allums, the first NCAA Division I athlete to come out as trans, has detransitioned - www.outsports.com/2026/9/11/24...

Hull City fined £30,000 by The FA for homophobic chanting by a section of supporters in last season’s FA Cup tie v Chelsea, and issued with an action plan. #FvH2026

Club Statement: FA Charge

Club Statement: FA Charge

wearehullcity.co.uk

NEW: Because the topic of eligibility in sports has become so heated and divisive, it’s difficult to discuss it online without feeding the algorithm. Humans of Sport have been holding ‘adda’ sessions to encourage more impactful conversations. Here’s my take (please consider subscribing)… #LGBTQ

An LGBT+-friendly sports space with more chat, more chill… and anyone for more cheese?

About the ‘adda’ sessions held by the advocacy organisation Humans of Sport, and why they matter.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

Twenty-five years after former Cal rugby player Mark Bingham and other passengers ambushed terrorists on 9/11, his story offers a window into the legacy of the people on that fateful flight.

‘This was like war’: Cal rugby player’s Flight 93 heroism resonates 25 years after 9/11

Twenty-five years after former Cal rugby player Mark Bingham and other passengers ambushed terrorists on 9/11, his story offers a window into the legacy of the people on that fateful flight.

bit.ly

9/11 hero Mark Bingham leaves lasting legacy in rugby

9/11 hero Mark Bingham leaves lasting legacy in rugby

At the Witter Rugby field at UC Berkeley, Bingham is honored every 9/11.

nbcbayarea.com

Kyle Tayler-Woolston is newly married and now publicly out as gay after his pro rugby club Newport RFC shared a wedding photo on socials (with the couple’s permission, ofc). I spoke to Kyle for @outsports.com about coming out to the world, a blessing in church for their marriage, and more. #LGBTQ

Blessings galore for gay pro rugby player who married his husband - Outsports

Kyle Tayler-Woolston tells Outsports he is embracing life as a publicly out gay pro rugby player after marrying his husband, George.

outsports.com

⚽️ Mixed adult football is now an FA-affiliated format of the game, offered alongside men’s and women’s football. Kicking off a series, we look at how this version is being pitched, the language used in the guidance, and potential implications for #LGBTQfootball folks 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ ✍️ @jonhholmes.bsky.social

The FA says “mix it up” with mixed adult football - so what’s the formula?

A football format billed as flexible, fun and inclusive is now part of the FA’s affiliated offering. In part 1 of a series, we take a closer look.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com

Former Levi's exec Jennifer Sey fanned a culture war over trans athletes in a league that has none—to the benefit of her clothing brand, XX-XY Athletics. "I know my mom isn’t that invested" in the WNBA, her son told me. "But...I guess the vultures will circle." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

The woman profiting off the WNBA's trans panic

Sophie Cunningham set off a firestorm. Jennifer Sey was ready to capitalize.

motherjones.com

Hector Bellerin was targeted with gay slurs by a YouTuber and so-called journalist, in a livestream on Friday. The YouTuber posted something close to a non-apology video, before Borja Iglesias called out the homophobia. But Spanish football has been largely silent. For @outsports.com #FvH2026

World Cup champ Borja Iglesias blasts gay slurs against soccer star - Outsports

World Cup winner Borja Iglesias blasted a YouTuber for gay slurs aimed at his friend and former teammate, soccer star Hector Bellerin.

outsports.com

Excited to bring @sportsmedialgbt.com to Substack! In my intro post, I’ve written about why it’s a logical step to be on the platform, and produce more digital content for our #LGBTQsports community. Please check us out on there 🙌

Welcome to Sports Media LGBT+ on Substack

What to expect, ways to connect, and how to support independent sports journalism created for LGBT+ people and allies.

sportsmedialgbt.substack.com