The game of cricket across England and Wales is striving to become more welcoming and inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.
As LGBTQ+ History Month comes to an end, we've pulled together the various groups forming across the game working in this space.
LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN CRICKET EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT NETWORK
ECB’s LGBT Allies Group was formed in 2017, and has helped the organisation and the game take strides forward in becoming more representative of and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community in cricket.
The group took The ECB to march at London Pride in 2018 - the first sports national governing body to march solo - has marched at Pride in London and other Prides events since, and has helped orchestrate Rainbow Laces in partnership with Stonewall for six years since 2017. In 2022 Rainbow Laces was marked across an England Men's Test match for the first time.
The group has evolved and has been renamed the LGBTQ+ Community in Cricket Employee Engagement Network. The network will work with all the organisations listed below and across the network to protect and connect the LGBTQ+ community at all levels of cricket in England and Wales.
PRIDE IN CRICKET
Pride in Cricket was set-up in 2022. As a supporter group their aim is to be inclusive of all members of the LGBTQ+ England and Wales cricket-loving community, allies, and the wider cricketing family.
Their mission is to increase LGBTQ+ visibility in cricket and work with the ECB and others to promote equality and inclusion in the sport. To find out more or to join Pride In Cricket, head to their Twitter page @Prideincricket.
OUT4CRICKET
Out4Cricket was established in 2023 and has grown out of the two LGBTQ+ cricket clubs in England, Graces and Birmingham Unicorns. They work with and support the LGBTQ+ community and stakeholders in cricket to create inclusive environments that increase community participation through education, advocacy, research, promotion and resources.
They support recreational clubs, county clubs, boards, foundations, and governing bodies. They also provide help and resources to individual LGBTQ+ players. To find out more and to contact Out4Cricket, please visit their website: www.Out4cricket.org.uk
PROUD SURREY
Proud Surrey was set-up in 2021, two of the four founding members of the Supporter Group being current Surrey County Cricket Club Staff. Proud Surrey’s objectives as a Supporter Group are to be inclusive of all members of the LGBTQ+ community, their allies, and the wider cricketing community.
Proud Surrey was built on the core tenants of valuing diversity and are committed to confronting and helping to eliminate all forms of discrimination.
In support of this, Proud Surrey’s “mission statement” is to:
- Provide social activities that promote an inclusive environment.
- Build social and cultural links between the LGBTQ+ community and the wider Surrey CCC club and membership.
- Seek to increase LGBTQ+ visibility in cricket; and
- Work with Surrey CCC, the ECB and others to promote equality and inclusion in the sport.