WorkPride Panel: Hit Me with Your Best Shot! The Reality of Sports for the LGBTQ+ Family

Studies from Out on the Fields (2015) and OutSport (2019) show some shocking, though not surprising results: 80% of both queer and straight people have witnessed or experienced homophobic behaviour in sports, while 43% of football fans have witnessed homophobic behaviour while attending a game.

Being LGBTQ+ in the sports industry is still a difficult reality, as prejudice is still very much present and often associated with toxic masculinity performed by straight counterparts. This panel promises to explore the obstacles of being queer and participating in sports, as well as strategies for sports organisations to help the community overcome these obstacles.

In Partnership With

Speakers:

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Nikki Symmons

Global Content Studio Operations and Planning
Philip Morris International

Nikki is a former international hockey player at elite level, a teacher, an author, a public speaker and a global LGBTQIA role model. In 2020, Nikki co-wrote a chapter in 'When the World Stops Watching' by Damian Lawlor, about her experience as the first female athlete in Ireland to "come out" as gay, and what it meant for her career. Nikki brings her life-long advocacy experience in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to whatever environment she finds herself in. Currently, Nikki works as a Communications expert at Philip Morris International, where she recently established the company's first international LGBTQIA Employee Resource Group (ERG). Employee-led groups foster a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with organisational mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives. In her chapter of 'When the World Stops Watching', success can only be measured by the success of the team, not the individual. A leader that understands the power of relationship building, Nikki serves as a trusted adviser to senior leaders in all matters DEI and advocacy. Looking for an impactful and passionate speaker that is fluent in 'digital' and organisational advocacy? Feel free to get in touch! 2020 OUTstanding Top 100 LGBT+ Future Leader, by Yahoo Finance 2020/21 Ambassador for Valencia Gay Games 2026 bid 2020/21 PMI Stripes Global Head of Programs and Events (LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group) 2018/present - Athlete Ally Ambassador 2017 EY Women Athletes in Business Mentee 2015 EuroHockey 'Hall of Fame' inductee 2015 Sport for Business list of most Influential Women in Irish Sport 2013 First Irish athlete to reach 200 caps in any sport (male or female) 2013 First Irish Female athlete to 'come out' publicly - Diversity and inclusion role model - Women in sport influencer - Public speaker - Digital sports media - Sponsorship management - Digital strategy & multi-channel content strategy - Experience working in a global organisation with varied backgrounds and cultures

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Devin Ibañez

Customer Success Manager and Public Speaker
myGwork

Devin Ibañez is the first openly gay Major League Rugby player and is dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy in sport. He hopes to inspire the next generation of LGBTQ+ athletes and make sport an inclusive space for them. Raised in Boston, MA, Devin played for Major League Rugby team, the New England Free Jacks, in their 2019 exhibition season. He won a gold medal while representing Team USA at the 2017 World Maccabiah Games in Israel. He also won the 2018 D1 National Championship with his club team, Mystic River Rugby Club. When not playing, Devin has coached rugby at Westlake Boys High School in New Zealand, his alma mater Brookline High School and most recently with the Northeast Academy. He holds a degree in sport management and education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Devin was announced Global Ambassador for International Gay Rugby (IGR) in May 2021. He is now looking towards a career in Public Speaking and Community Engagement. As of December 2023, Devin joined myGwork as a Customer Success Manager, the largest global business community for LGBTQ+ professionals and inclusive employers.

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Shola Aminu

Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Shola Aminu is the Head of DEI at DAZN, depending on where you are in the world you may know us as the global home of boxing , or the home of the best European soccer leagues. At DAZN I drive the company-wide DEI strategy, actively work towards fostering an inclusive and equitable culture so everyone can be their authentic selves in the workplace.

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Rhys Gray

Gymnast / Analyst
British Gymnastics / Dojo (Paymentsense)

Gymnast for Great Britain Product Analyst @ Dojo (Paymentsense)

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Grace McKenzie

Operations Lead
Gordian Software

Grace McKenzie is a 26 year old Operations Lead for a technology start-up in San Francisco, CA who uses she/her/hers and they/them/theirs pronouns. She plays flanker for the San Francisco Fog Women's Rugby Football Club. Before COVID-19 ended the season prematurely, Grace was the Rookie and Recruitment Coordinator for their old rugby club, San Francisco Golden Gate, where she started playing rugby in 2019. As a transgender woman, Grace has found an inclusive and welcoming support network within the women's rugby community. When World Rugby announced its plans to ban trans women from the sport earlier this year, Grace decided to take action by organizing a global movement in opposition to the ban. They started a petition that has accumulated over 18,000 signatures, and has engaged hundreds of clubs and dozens of international athletes around the world to join in keeping rugby open to all. In her spare time, Grace enjoys riding her motorcycle along the California coastal highway and playing guitar.

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Bonnie Thurston (she/her/hers)

Director, Player Programs
WNBA

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Melissa Raymond

Social Media Marketing Director
Open To Work

10+ years of marketing and communications experience with proven results across Social/Digital, Strategy, Content Production, Talent Management, and Live Events in entertainment, sports and gaming industries. From local markets, to global footprints, and limited budgets to multi-million dollar activations, I work with key stakeholders to align consumer trends, company goals and marketing roadmaps to deliver perfectly tailored, insights-driven campaigns. Key Strengths: Team Building and Management | Social Media | Digital | Creative Briefs | Community Building | Efficient Resource Allocation | Live Event Coverage | Social Listening | Client/Agency Relations | Team Leadership | Problem Solving | Proactive Process Improvements | Project Lifecycle Management | Client Acquisition | G-Suite | Microsoft Office | Social Platform Dashboards | Hootsuite | Sprout Social | BrandWatch Former Clients & Partnership Examples: Dreamworks | STX Entertainment | TBS | Warner Bros Discovery | HBO Max | Barclays Center | Brooklyn Nets | International Champions Cup | 20th Century Fox | International Olympic Committee | Amaury Sport Organisation | New York Jets | Union Cycliste Internationale

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Sarah Kendall

Managing Director
Fuse Sport & Entertainment

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	Date & Time	Jun 14, 2021
	Location	Online