The LGBT Sport Podcast

She was inspired to get into bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger - and now, Amazin LeThi uses her platform to promote messages of inclusion, both through her own foundation and her work as an ambassador for Athlete Ally. She's our guest on a brand-new episode of the podcast - as we talk about why bodybuilding was the sport she was drawn to in the first place; some of the discrimination she origi...

There are plenty of special things about being part of a sport club. The friendships you make, the competitions you win, the experiences you get - they're all part and parcel of it. But for people from the LGBT community who have experienced homophobic or transphobic abuse in sport, finding a club where you actually fit in is extra special. It's why the London Royals Hockey Club are all about incl...

She's someone who has travelled the world, reporting on some of the biggest events in sport for the BBC. From the Tour De France to the Hockey World Cup, Jo Currie is usually on the scene when the big sporting stories are happening - and, if that wasn't enough, she's also one of the nicest people in broadcasting. She joins us to talk about how she got started in sports journalism; about LGBT repre...

On this episode, we're swapping coming out for getting out and about! OutdoorLads runs activities for gay, bi and trans men across the UK - with activities that range from hiking to sailing! Liam Russell from the group joins us to talk more about that; the importance of staying active when it comes to mental health; and pushing himself further than he realised he could. He's a really engaging chap...

For Hudson Taylor, it all started with a sticker on a headgear. The decision to wear a Pride symbol on his wrestling uniform drove the straight amateur wrestler from the United States to set up one of the world's largest organisations supporting LGBT individuals in sport - Athlete Ally. He joins us to talk about the difference that Athlete Ally is making; how straight sportspeople can be allies -...

If you're a fan of AFC Bournemouth, you've probably seen Sophie Cook's work. She spent years snapping photos of Eddie Howe's side as the Cherries' official club photographer - but she has also had a story of her own to tell, as the first transgender person to ever work in the Premier League. We're delighted to have Sophie on the podcast - talking about her love of photography; the bizarre place sh...

Fred Rosser is a professional wrestler who made history when he became the first openly gay active member of the WWE roster. Wrestling is still his passion - but equal to it is his desire to tackle hatred and bigotry in all forms through his #blockthehate movement. He joins us to talk about when he first started to love wrestling; the reaction of the WWE roster when he came out; the difference of...

Caroline Matthews loved playing basketball - so when she was told she had to stop for health reasons, you'd think that would be the end of her journey in sport. Instead, Caroline went on to become one of the biggest names in British wheelchair basketball and a two-time Paralympian - who has also been recognised in the New Year's Honours. She's a fantastic guest - and says her wife is her rock who...

We're taking a Christmas break on the podcast - so, to tide us over into 2019, here's a special extended edition with some of the most memorable guests we've had on this year. It features people from around the world, in all sports and from all walks of life - and don't forget, these are just a few of our edited highlights, with loads more sitting in the archive for you to listen to whenever you'd...

She's a world champion and Olympic medallist - who had the honour of carrying the British flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. It's fair to say not much phases judo star Kate Howey - but last month, she did something she'd never done before by writing publicly about her sexuality for the first time. It's something she says took her thirty years to do - and we're del...

How does a young man from Scotland go on to become one of the most respected names in European baseball? That's exactly the journey that Thomas Haywood has been on over the past few years - and it's something that's taken him to all sorts of places as one of the top umpires on the European circuit. He's our guest on this episode of the podcast - as we look at how he got his start in the game; his...

At the end of November, Stonewall FC stepped out at Wembley to play Wilberforce Wanderers as part of this year's #RainbowLaces campaign. It's something that Stonewall FC founder member Aslie Pitter would have struggled to imagine when he started playing football as a youngster. In this episode, he tells us about some of the racism and homophobia that he received starting out in the sport - and how...

Our guest today is an award-winning author, a journalist, an advocate - undoubtedly one of the smartest men we've ever spoken to - and the first trans man to ever box at Madison Square Garden. Thomas Page McBee stepped into the ring at the most hallowed venue in combat sports for charity - and used his own experiences learning the art of boxing to examine stereotypes and perceptions about gender a...

Verity Smith has always loved rugby - in fact, he can thank his grandparents for that! But as a transgender man, he's also had to deal with his share of abuse since coming out - and today, he's telling us about the journey he's been on. It's one of bravery and courage - and one he hopes will inspire other trans individuals to give sport a chance. We really like him, and we think you will as well....

Imagine starting your own LGBT+ supporters group, and then using THAT as a way to help combat isolation in older people. Pretty incredible, right - but that's exactly what Piero Zizzi has done with Proud Baggies, and why we're so delighted to have him on the podcast. We talk about why he stayed in the closet around football for a long time; how Robbie Rogers inspired him to come out; and about the...

'I hope sharing my coming out story may have some resonance, and help even one person that may be battling the same as I did'. That was the email we got, out of the blue, from Greg McLean - the founder of St Margaret's Old Boys FC and a referee with the Liverpool County FA - and when someone says that to you, you know you just HAVE to get them on the podcast. We're so glad we did - because we thin...

Clubs and organisations across the UK will wear rainbow-coloured laces this weekend to show their support for combating homophobia and transphobia in sport. It’s the fifth year that Rainbow Laces has been run - and who better to tell us about it than Kirsty Clarke, the Director of Sport at Stonewall. She's brilliant at talking about the relevance of the campaign; about some of the issues the initi...

As guests go, you can't get much better than a coach who has won the World Cup - and picked up the FIFA World Coach of the Year Award in the process. But that's exactly what Jill Ellis has accomplished as the coach of the US Women's National Team - as part of a career that has also included plenty of success as a coach in the collegiate system. Not bad for someone who was told football wasn't for...

If you've read a story over the past couple of years about LGBTQ+ individuals or teams in sport, there's a fairly good chance that Jon Holmes has been the one to bring it to you. The Sky Sports Home Page Editor is one of the most prominent voices in promoting sporting stories from the LGBTQ+ community - and also helped bring the Sports Media LGBT+ group to life. Basically, he's does what we do - b...

I think it's fair to say there's a certain image of rugby lads, right? Confident, sure of themselves - and not averse to a little bit of public nudity! But that's not always the case. Cisgendered and transgendered rugby players from inclusive clubs across the UK have been taking part in something called the Naked Rugby Players project. It's a calendar that draws attention to some of the body image...

The clocks are going back - the weather is getting chillier - it really ISN'T cricketing weather, is it? But if you are missing the sound of leather on willow, this episode of the BBC's LGBT Sport Podcast is for you. Jonathan Hardisty is from Graces - the world's first (to their knowledge) and only gay cricket club. He's been talking to us about how it started; about why cricket is a more acceptin...

It was a film that generated an awful lot of buzz this summer - the story of two young football professionals who fall in love, and the tale of what happens next. To mark the DVD release of 'Mario', actor Aaron Altaras - who plays Leon in the movie - joins the show to talk about why he took the part; why it's so relevant now - and what on Earth happened to Germany at this year's World Cup?! Plus,...

He's competed the world over - and made history in the process - and now, pro wrestler Mike Parrow joins the BBC LGBT Sport Podcast. He talks about his experiences of coming out in the world of pro wrestling, the reception he received, and the surprising response he had from some members of the LGBT community. And - as a disclaimer - Jack Murley loves wrestling ... so there's also talk of in-ring...

If you've been on social media today, you may have noticed a certain topic is trending. #ComeOutForTransEquality has been all over posts throughout the day - which makes the guest on this episode particularly appropriate. Rowena Purdy is a championship-winning rally driver who helped fly Vulcans in the RAF, and has been writing about motorsports for more than a quarter of a century. She also trans...

This week's LGBT Sport Podcast from the BBC shines a spotlight on a brand-new club - as Andy Smith from the Westcountry Wasps rugby team joins us. Andy talks about why he helped co-found the club; his experiences of inclusive rugby; and why he, as a straight man, decided to get involved in the first place. Then, there's a best bit from our old show 'The Other Side' - as we take a trip through the...