Ian Thorpe says sports organisations have made great strides for LGBTIQ+ inclusivity, but still have a role to play in the wider community.
abc.net.au/news/ian-thorpe-urges-sporting-bodies-for-more-inclusivity-awareness/102023426Australian Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe says sport can still do more in the drive towards equality.Thorpe said athletes who come out could help those in the community who were struggling to do soSpeaking to ABC Summer Grandstand, Thorpe said sport had made great strides forward in terms of inclusivity for the LGBTQI+ community in recent years.
However, the 40-year-old urged sporting bodies to create more awareness about that inclusivity in the wider community. "At the Olympic Games that just passed, there were more 'out' athletes than there had been at every Olympic Games leading up to that one. So that's where we are at an Olympic level," Thorpe, hero of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, told ABC Sport.
"I don't know what every individual case is and what they're going through in their journey to finding themselves and their authentic selves."People ask me for advice when it comes to 'how do you come out?' "I get messages all the time about it and I actually don't know for each individual, but what I would say is, you don't have to come out to your parents first, you could come out to some trusted friends, have a few people that are supporting you first and know that your whole world isn't about to change, that people still care about you.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thorpe's call for a 'progressive no' vote timed for maximum impactThis week was dubbed a 'week of action' by those campaigning for a yes vote in the referendum expected later in the year as they tried to leave the Canberra bubble. One senator had other ideas, writes Dan Bourchier.
Read more »
‘Critical weakness’: ABC unable to challenge ‘nonsensical’ points’ from ‘radical politicians’Sky News Digital Editor Jack Houghton says something “truly extraordinary” happened this week on ABC Radio which highlighted a “critical weakness” with the broadcaster. Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe told ABC’s Patricia Karvelas that “white progressives think they know best for us”. “That’s part of the problem, PK, that … if you vote ‘no’ then you’re going to stand with Peter Dutton or Pauline Hanson. That is another way of taking away the Voice of those grassroots blackfellas who have a progressive no that the white progressives don’t want to hear,” Ms Thorpe said. “Thorpe believes the Voice will be powerless, and why does she think that?”, Mr Houghton said. “Because Labor has been busy assuring Australians it will be. Karvelas was challenged on that point and was completely unable to counter Thorpe. “And it shows a critical weakness at the ABC on this issue – because its journalists have no concerns about making their political affiliations public, they are unable to challenge nonsensical talking points from radical politicians.”
Read more »
The 'I' in LGBTIQ+: What it's like to be intersex in AustraliaGabrielle found out she was intersex when she was in year 12 and says she 'wasn't allowed to tell anyone because I would be deemed a freak'. Here's what she wants you to know today.
Read more »
Tennessee criticised for 'boogie monster' tactics as it moves to outlaw public drag performancesCritics say those backing the bill are using 'straw man' arguments and want to restrict the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.
Read more »
Cricket legend calls for Pat Cummins' resignationOne former wicketkeeper is worried the 'burden' of captaincy will lead Pat Cummins to succumb to 'burnout' and believes he should step down and finish his career as a 'tearaway fast bowler'.
Read more »
Environment secretary urges Britons to ‘cherish’ turnips amid food shortagesThérèse Coffey’s championing of UK ‘specialisms’ causes one Labour MP to retort: ‘Let them eat turnips!’
Read more »