Proud 2 Play

This International Women’s Day, it’s time to #AccelerateAction for gender equality! At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158—five generations from now—to achieve full gender parity. We need urgent, decisive action to break down the systemic barriers that continue to deny women and girls their rights. From workplaces to education, healthcare to leadership, and yes, in sport, progress must be faster. Trans women must be included in this fight because gender equality that excludes some women isn’t equality at all. The call to Accelerate Action means calling out discrimination, dismantling biases, and pushing for real change. It means supporting the supporters: grassroots organisations, advocacy groups, and individuals who are driving impact. How can you help #AccelerateAction? ✔️ Challenge bias and discrimination when you see it ✔️ Support organisations fighting for gender equality ✔️ Celebrate and uplift the achievements of women ✔️ Advocate for policies that drive real change Do you know someone that is advocating for real change when it comes to empowering women and girls? Tag them below to highlight their hard work!

This International Women's Day, we #MarchForward for ALL women and girls! Thirty years ago, the world committed to gender equality through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, setting a roadmap for change. Ee’ve seen progress, with women breaking barriers, reshaping policies, and igniting movements but today, systemic inequalities, rising violence, and restrictive policies still deny women and girls - particularly those from marginalised communities - their fundamental rights, opportunities, and safety. It’s more important than ever to fight for the rights of ALL women, and that includes trans women. Across the world, women and girls continue to face barriers in education, employment, healthcare, and sport. These barriers must be broken down, not reinforced. #MarchForward is about building a more equal and inclusive future for women and girls everywhere. It’s about ensuring that no one is left behind and empowering the next generation. ______________________________ Each International Women’s Day, there are two global themes—one from the United Nations: #MarchForward, and one from the International Women's Day website: #AccelerateAction. We believe in both of these messages and calls to action, and we are committed to amplifying both to urge everyone to do more. We'll be posting another message later today in support of #AccelerateAction.

Announcing the Pride Hub Dinner + Drinks! Join us for an evening of good food, great company, and plenty of motorsport chat at the Pride Hub Dinner + Drinks! 📅 Friday 14 March ⏰ 6:30 PM onwards 📍 Bells Hotel, 157 Moray St, South Melbourne This is a casual opportunity to connect with fellow LGBTIQA+ fans and allies, share your excitement for the Grand Prix weekend, and enjoy a meal in an inclusive and welcoming space. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the community, we'd love to see you there! 🍽️ Food and drinks can be ordered at your own cost Registrations are FREE but spots limited. Please register here: https://lnkd.in/guU7q8Dq

We’re back at Albert Park for all four days of the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025! Racing Pride and Proud 2 Play are excited to bring the Pride Hub to the Lakeside Precinct, a space to learn more about LGBTIQA+ inclusion in motorsport and sport. What’s On at the Pride Hub? 🏁 See the Rainbow Shoelace BMW 🎤 Hear from Racing Pride ambassadors and industry insiders. 📚 Discover more about LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport and motorsport from Proud 2 Play, or join Racing Pride’s global community of LGBTIQA+ motorsport fans. 🛋️ Grab a beanbag, enjoy a drink or bite to eat at our tables, or simply take a break in a welcoming space. 📍 Find us inside the track between Turns 2 & 3, best accessed via Gate 2. Motorsport is for everyone, so come and celebrate, connect, and be part of the movement! See you trackside! 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🏁 Australian Grand Prix Corporation Formula 1

Really proud to be quoted and involved in this piece on ABC News today by Henry Hanson, highlighting the intersectionality of queer and disabled communities in sport. We're deeply committed to creating safer, inclusive sporting environments for queer and gender-diverse people. Proud 2 Play's recent partnership with Disability Sports Australia aims to build this commitment by sharing resources, knowledge, and strategies across clubs and communities to address unique barriers faced by those at the intersection of queer and disabled identities. It's important to acknowledge that while both queer and disabled communities have faced historical exclusion from sports, our efforts need to focus on creating new, welcoming narratives for all. Sports clubs have often been sites of trauma for queer folks and it's vital we transform these spaces into ones of healing, belonging, and empowerment. Both communities face interconnected challenges and I believe sports clubs can and should do more to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and supported. It's recognising that intersectionality matters and that adaptive sports can offer inclusive pathways not just for those with disabilities, but also for the wider queer community seeking safe spaces. It's fantastic to see Pride in Sport Australia's valuable contribution and leadership in this area too. Together, as major queer sporting organisations, we're making sure that steps are being taken to include all queer intersectional identities in sport. Beau Alexandra Ayden Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Katherine

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Parks and Leisure Australia VIC/TAS Region Fair Access Summit. It was a pleasure to listen and learn about Fair Access policy implementation in local government. Well done to all the presenters and organisers on a great day! I’m excited to see how YMCA Victoria can support this work with our Council partners in the future and how we can bring Fair Access to life through program design in leisure centres. We continue to do great work with City of Boroondara through the Boroondara Disability Sport & Recreation Hub and with Proud 2 Play completing the Rainbow Roadmap.

🏑🌈 Nepean Queer Hockey is launching a 6-week summer program! 🌈🏑 Looking for a welcoming and inclusive space to play field hockey? Nepean Queer Hockey is creating an affirming environment for LGBTIQA+ youth (high school-aged), adults, and allies—no experience needed, all abilities welcome! 📅 Key Dates: 💬 Meet & Greet: Monday 17 Feb, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM 🏑 Program Starts: Monday 24 Feb, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (running weekly for 6 weeks) 📍 Location: Western Sydney Hockey Centre, Western Sydney Uni (Kingswood Campus) 💰 Cost: $80 for high schoolers $120 for adults (If cost is a barrier, reach out for support!) Register now: https://lnkd.in/gJ7J9255 This is a fantastic opportunity to develop skills, connect with community, and have fun in a safe and supportive space. 📩 Questions? Contact Wendy, Fiona, or Em at [email protected]

We're proud partner with Pony Club Gym on the return of free movement classes for Trans & Gender Diverse young people! 🌈🏋️ These sessions provide a safe and welcoming space for TGD and LGBTIQA+ young people to explore movement, build strength, and connect with community in a supportive environment. Led by qualified professionals with experience in LGBTIQA+ inclusive fitness, these classes are designed to ensure all bodies feel at home. 📅 Every other Thursday from Feb 27 💰 Completely FREE to attend 🎒 Bring a towel, water bottle & comfortable clothing Creating sustainable, inclusive programs like this is more important than ever. Help us spread the word so more young people can access movement spaces where they feel safe, supported, and celebrated! 🔗 Book your spot via ponyclubgym.com Proudly supported by the City of Darebin’s Community Grants Program.

We’re excited to partner with Pony Club Gym on the return of FREE Trans Femme fitness classes! These classes provide a safe and welcoming space for Trans Femmes to move, build strength, and feel at home in a supportive environment. Led by qualified professionals who understand the barriers our LGBTIQA+ community faces in movement spaces, these sessions are designed to be inclusive, empowering, and fun. 📅 Every other Thursday from Feb 27 💰 Completely FREE to attend 🎒 Bring a towel, water bottle & comfortable clothing Let’s make sure these classes continue! Spread the word and book your spot via ponyclubgym.com Proudly supported by the City of Darebin’s Community Grants Program.

This is what a show of support looks like. Proud of people from Melbourne and around Australia for showing up for our Trans and Gender Diverse community on the National Day of Action, organised by Trans Justice Project LTD. A big shout out and thank you to everyone that shared their experiences behind the mic. This is just the first step everyone. Keep moving forward, and keep the support going.