TEAM GB REBRANDS AS TEAM LGBT
November 30, 2018
The British Olympic Association (BOA) has pledged its support of Stonewall UK’s national Rainbow Laces campaign by temporarily rebranding Team GB as Team LGBT.
The show of support from the BOA coincides with Rainbow Laces Day and will see Team GB change logos across all social channels. The national Olympic committee for the UK will post and share supportive content to help raise awareness of the campaign and demonstrate its pride in all its LGBT athletes.
First launched in 2013, Rainbow Laces was founded by Stonewall UK, the British charity for lesbian, gay and trans equality, and has become a firm fixture in the sports calendar.
The BOA has joined a wide variety of sporting governing bodies and organisations publicly backing the annual initiative, including England Rugby, the EFL, SPFL and the English and Wales Cricket Board.
News of Team GB’s plans follow last week’s announcement by the Premier League, which will see the English top-flight promote the Rainbow Laces campaign across two rounds of match fixtures, beginning on Friday 30th November.
Stonewall is encouraging people nationwide to wear Rainbow Laces to help ‘make sport everyone’s game.’ The BOA will join the push to promote the campaign across social media using #RainbowLaces and #RainbowLacesDay.
Ben Hawes, chair of the British Olympic Association Athletes’ Commission, said: “Becoming Team LGBT as an ally of the Stonewall UK Rainbow Laces campaign today is symbolic of the British Olympic Association’s wider support for diversity in sport.
“Being part of Team GB means being part of an inclusive environment and supporting your fellow Olympians as one Team GB no matter of sexuality, ethnicity or background."
Hawes added: “As arguably the most inclusive and representative sports team in the country, LGBT athletes have a rich history of involvement and success with Team GB at the Olympic Games. These athletes are role models for the nation and fantastic ambassadors for their sports and the LGBT community.”