Ahead of the #softballvicpride weekend, Pride Cup hosted an online education session for all Softball Victoria clubs and associations.

The information session took place on Wednesday night, to ensure that Pride games are welcoming and inclusive for the entire LGBTI+ community.

Some key stats raised during the presentation explain why Pride rounds/matches across all sports are important:

• 2.4 million or 10% of Australians are same-sexed attracted
• 724,000 or 3% of Australians are transgender or gender diverse
• 419,000 or 1% of Australians are intersex
• 80% had witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport
• 87% of gay male youth did not feel safe to come out to teammates
• 75% said an openly gay spectator would not be very safe attending a sporting event

Pride Cup CEO James Lolicato has said they are thrilled to see softball join other community sports to actively provide a safe and welcoming environment.

“Pride Cup is extremely excited to be working alongside Softball Victoria on the first ever Softball Pride round. We want to make sure that all Australians feel safe, included and welcomed in their sporting clubs, and the Victorian Softball community is helping to make that a reality,” he said.

A link to an on-demand recording of the 'LGBTI+ Inclusion in Sport' education session will be provided to clubs and associations as soon as it becomes available.