In 1998, legendary Canadian swimmer Mark Tewksbury became the first openly gay Canadian Olympian.
By coming out, the three-time Olympic medallist and holder of seven world records, helped start a national conversation for LGBTQ2SI+ athletes inclusion in sport. Since, he has become an advocate for inclusive and safe sport spaces and inspired other Canadian athletes to openly talk about sexuality and be themselves.
Tewksbury recently hosted 10 panels titled In Your Corner: Connecting LGBTQI2S Sport Communities for Egale. In Your Corner included panelists and fire-side chats with Canadian athletes and coaches from across the country discussing inclusion, human rights, mental health, history in sport and coaching.
Panel nine discussed the importance of LGBTQ2SI+ inclusion in coaching. His guests included Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) CEO Lorraine Lafrenière and David Thibodeau, a coach and advocate. Lafrenière believes that coaches play a key role in creating a safe and inclusive environments. Visit the CAC guide for working with LGBTQ2SI+ athletes and coaches.
Watch all the In Your Corner panels at Egale.ca. Egale works to improve lives through research, education, awareness and advocacy for the LGBTQ2SI+ community.
