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Sporting Pride, the association tasked with getting the LGBTQ+ community active, have partnered with Dublin Lesbian Line to continue its successful “Standing Proud in Irish Sport: My Life as an Elite LGBTQ+ Athlete” webinar series with an interview with Katie McCabe, captain of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team and professional footballer for Arsenal Women’s Football Club.
Taking place on Tuesday 23rd February 2021 at 19:00 as part of GCN’s In & Out Festival 2021. The live interview with Katie is also the first in a new series of events that will focus on LGBTQ+ Women in Sport. Each event will feature LGBTQ+ female athletes talking openly and honestly about their personal experiences, including:
the role sport played in growing up;
attitudes among teammates and coaches;
influence on mental and physical development;
effect on sporting performance; and
the coming out process.
The experienced broadcaster Anna Nolan will once again host the interview, taking Katie through her career and discussing the importance of football in her professional and personal life.
Katie is a role model to a huge number of Irish and international fans and viewers also will have a unique opportunity during the live interview to ask their hero questions via the forum.
Karina Murray, Events Coordinator of Sporting Pride, says
“We are delighted to facilitate this webinar which will be the first of our series aimed at promoting the visibility of LGBTQ+ women in sport. Katie’s story will provide an insight into the mindset of an elite player at the height of her career and open discussion on how sport, and football in particular, can be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ athletes.”
To watch this free ground-breaking webinar, check GCN’s live streaming platforms below on Tuesday 23rd February at 19:00.
About the Panel
Anna Nolan – Presenter / Basketball
Anna Nolan is a television producer, broadcaster and opinion columnist. She began her television career when she stepped inside the very first Big Brother house, back in 2000. From there she worked at the BBC for two years. She moved back to Ireland and worked on the RTE documentary series, “Would You Believe”.
Over the last 20 years, she has produced some of the most-watched television programmes on Irish television, including Room to Improve, Operation Transformation and is now Head of Development at COCO Television.
Anna started playing basketball at the age of 13, representing her school, Loreto Crumlin, and club, Naomh Mhuire, in national and international tournaments. In 1989, Anna won the U19 National Cup with Naomh Mhuire, was named Tournament MVP and was called up to play with the first team, who went on to win the Senior Women’s National Cup that year.
Katie McCabe - Football
Katie McCabe is an Irish international football player who is currently the captain of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team and professional football player for Arsenal Women’s Football Club. She made her senior international debut against Hungary at the Istria Cup in March 2015 and was player of the match on her competitive debut against Finland. She has also made over 100 appearances for Arsenal and continues to dominate at number 15 for her club.
In June of 2019 Katie came out as openly gay and acts as an out and proud role model for the LGBTQ+ community.
About the Hosts
Sporting Pride
Founded in 2018, Sporting Pride is Ireland’s sport, fitness and exercise body, tasked with inspiring the LGBTQ+ community to get active. Research shows that 55% of LGBT men and 56% of LGBT women are not active enough to maintain good health, compared with 33% and 45% respectively of the general public. As a member of the EGLSF and the Federation of Gay Games, Sporting Pride also offers LGBTQ+ sports people the opportunity to represent Ireland in international competitions.
Dublin Lesbian Line
Dublin Lesbian Line is a confidential support helpline, operated by a group of enthusiastic female-identified (LGBTQ+) volunteers. Although this service is not currently operating due to Covid restrictions they have moved online with webinars and social inclusion events and are dedicated to providing rather excellent support to the LGBTQ+ community. Check out their website to discover more.
GCN
GCN is the national LGBTQ+ press in Ireland operating since 1988. GCN reflects queer life in Ireland and is delighted to collaborate with Sporting Pride and Dublin Pride to facilitate this vital conversation about the LGBTQ+ experience in the sports arena and how we can all work together to make sport a more inclusive space and accessible for the LGBTQ+ community.
This event is supported by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Fund and The Community Foundation of Ireland.
LGBTQ+ Women in Sport Series
The second webinar focusing on LGBTQ+ Women in Sport will take place on Thursday 25th February 2021 at 19:00 and will feature representatives from a number of Dublin’s LGBTQ+ inclusive sports clubs - Pink Ladies Hockey, Phoenix Tigers Football Club, and Emerald Warriors Rugby Football Club. Sporting Pride’s Philippa Ryder will also join the discussion to add her perspective on the importance of female representation in sport.