Sports stars take part in LGBT History Month official northern launch

Sports stars from the world of rugby, cricket and basketball will headline the official northern launch of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month on 27 January at the University of Salford – with a focus on reducing the levels of homophobia in schools.

Fitting with LGBT History Month’s sports theme, psychologist, New York Times best-selling author and former NBA basketball player John Amaechi will be leading a basketball masterclass at the event for a group of school children from around the north, while simultaneous sessions will be run by Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club and Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Stockport-raised John Amaechi became one of the few US-based sportsmen to come out as gay in 2007 and now runs Amaechi Performance Systems, a professional consultancy which works with various businesses and organisations to promote a high-performance workplace through inclusion, improved communication and leadership.

As well as passing on his skills and knowledge to the school pupils at the masterclass, he will also be part of a panel discussion at the evening reception to discuss diversity issues in sport with invited guests.

He said: “Having the opportunity to educate and normalise human differences to young people through everyday activities like sport is a key way to promote a more inclusive and productive society for everyone. I am really pleased that the University of Salford has seen fit to so actively promote discussion and raise awareness on LGBT issues and LGBT history month.”

There will also be a series of events held to help teachers to tackle homophobic bullying in schools, which earlier this year the National Union of Teachers found had been witnessed by nearly all school staff.

The launch event will also kick off the University’s own LGBT history month events to run throughout February.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Martin Hall is the LGBT History Month Academic Patron. “The University is honoured to be chosen to host the northern launch of this important national event and I welcome all of the participants to the day,” he said

“Human rights and social justice are a major part of the University’s mission and by working to promote LGBT issues Salford can play a significant role in addressing homophobia in society.”

The launch event is being supported by the National Union of Teachers and the University and College Union.