Harlequins aim to be Pride ‘trailblazers’ and have Nigel Owens’ backing

On Sunday, Harlequins announced a new Limited Edition LGBTQIA+ Pride Supporter Kit ahead of this Sunday’s Champions Cup match against Toulouse.

Quins have teamed up with DHL and Castore for the kit, which was worn for the first time at the Stoop over the weekend.

TRUE values

Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple is a huge advocate of inclusion, believing that rugby is a trailblazer for all sports, with huge engagement for the wider LGBTQIA+ community.

“Diversity, by definition, brings strength and resilience,” he commented, speaking exclusively to Planet Rugby.

“We need to get to the stage where this isn’t a conversation any more, a position where people are fully accepted and welcomed without being asked to conform to any type of conventional norm.

“There’s a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination within the ground; we want all to feel safe and welcome. If someone hears something unacceptable, then we want them to speak out, to self-police, and to create a community standard of behaviour that reflects the TRUE values of the Club.”

TRUE is an acronym created by Quins, meaning Tempo, Relate, Unconventional, and Enjoyment. For Dalrymple, his inclusion campaign is about making the unconventional become conventional, a benchmark norm for everyone to enjoy their time at Quins.

“Harlequins have a unique catchment area, very diverse in attitude, and that allows us and inspires us to capture and cater for all sections of our community. Societal change has a real momentum behind it, and for us, if we’re engaging with this change process and listening, then we are capturing the need of the communities we serve and who support us,” he said.

“We want to be a trailblazer in understanding those trends and those needs. By doing so, we become truly influenced by all sections of society and, as a result, become stronger together.”

Creating an inclusive environment

Harlequins’ Inclusivity Club Partner, the Kings Cross Steelers Rugby Club (the first LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club in the world) and Harlequins’ Official LGBTQ+ Supporter Association, Quins Pride (the only supporters’ association of its type in English rugby), were all present at the launch event, adding personality and reality to the campaign.

Emily Hamilton, Chair of Quins Pride, added: “In a time of unprecedented danger and increased hate crimes against the LGBTQIA community, providing welcoming and safe spaces for people to get together, enjoy sport and find family is more essential than ever. I’m proud that Harlequins have led the way in creating an inclusive environment where we celebrate our uniqueness but also share a common love of our wonderful team and sport.

Matt Webb, ex-chairman of the Kings Cross Steelers, observed: “The new kit will create visibility, and it’s important that people can wear clothing that they are comfortable in. It’s not just about those from the community wearing the shirts; it’s about having those from outside of the LGBTQ+ community showing that everybody is welcome.

“A lot of people feel incredibly safe and secure coming to a Quins match and this means a lot to all supporters. Everybody should feel welcome in rugby, and by supporting and wearing the shirt, supporters will show that they are an ally. And allyship is something that’s really, really important.”

‘Be a role model by being yourself’ – Nigel Owens

Sunday’s launch also featured the support of one of rugby’s most colourful advocates of inclusion, the great Test referee Nigel Owens, who added his voice to the Quins message.

“My message is loud and clear: Be a role model by being yourself,” commented Owens.

“I often hear ‘Well why do we need this? Why are you ramming this down our throats and so on’? The simple truth is that all of the community and of course of other communities beyond, have heard prejudice directed at themselves, at one point or another. People react differently- I can shrug it off, but it still stings. Others take it home with them, and it stays there, and that can affect confidence and mental health. We must use these campaigns and others as a reminder of how far we’ve moved forward and a celebration of progress.

“We want to show care and love to all. This isn’t a campaign as much as a reminder that rugby (and Harlequins) are there for all. We are making progress, for sure, but we can and must do better. The one thing that pleases me is that the launch at Quins showed people really DO care, and the turnout was great.

“I also think that Quins have produced a lovely jersey, something that people will wear with the pride associated with both the club and their campaign. Rugby is ahead of other sports when it comes to the wider queer community- we want all to enjoy it, whether or not they’re the next Gareth Thomas, or Nigel Owens, or whether they’re the next person coming through the gates of Quins to enjoy the sport in an environment where they’ll feel safe, but above all, made completely welcome without being asked to conform to any preconceived norm.

“That to me is the definition of true inclusion and what Quins and Laurie are striving for.”

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