Gracie Elvin, Kerrie Rosemond named AIS ambassadors for LGBTIQ+ inclusion

Commonwealth Games track gold medallist Kerrie Rosemond (née Meares) and Olympian Gracie Elvin are among 14 athletes from 10 sports who have been announced as ambassadors for the inaugural AIS Thrive with Pride Program.

The program, through its ambassadors and engagement with inclusion bodies Pride in Sport and Proud 2 Play, aims to provide safe and inclusive sporting environments for all athletes to thrive.

As ambassadors, Rosemond and Elvin will deliver presentations on LGBTQ awareness, active allyship and creating inclusive sporting environments, as well as engaging in LGBTIQ+ days of significance.

Kerrie Rosemond (née Meares)

“For many years cycling was my job. It occupied my entire world. I spent a large part of my life with teammates, support staff and competitors. Like every high-performance athlete, I needed to be performing at my best across multiple world events in this environment.

“But at the time, I struggled with the prospect of revealing my identity for fear that others wouldn't accept me. So throughout my competitive career, particularly in the later stages, I masked my authentic self to fit in and feel accepted. Consequentially, my performance didn't improve. It deteriorated. The more I was concerned by what others might have thought of me should I be open about my sexuality and its impacts on existing relationships, the more I struggled with my mental health.

“It wasn't until I stepped outside of sport that I realised that by trying to be someone that wasn't, I couldn't be honest, I couldn't achieve the things I set my mind to, and I wouldn't be happy. I grew up in a household where 'gender orientated roles' were modelled and encouraged from a young age. As a result, I struggled to understand why I was not happy even when conforming to the societal 'norm' for many years.

“The road to self-discovery has been a long and windy one, but one that has led me to fully realise and appreciate just how great life can be with the right people, support networks and environments around you.

“Today I'm happily married to my wife and enjoy helping students and athletes on their journeys across a diverse range of roles and careers.

“For this reason, I'm a strong advocate for the AIS Thrive with Pride Program and feel proud to support LGBTQIA+ identifying people to participate in sport.”

Gracie Elvin

“Advocacy for athletes has always been part of my value set and co-founding a female athlete union that strives for gender equality and fairness in cycling set me up to have confidence in myself when I came out to my family, friends, and team-mates, and since then be able to speak publicly about inclusion in cycling and in sport.

“I want to be part of the change I wish to see in the world instead of just expecting it to happen.

“I have had a very fortunate life and I want to do what I can to support other athletes in their journey, as well as educate myself and others on how we can all be more inclusive because sport is for everyone.”

“The AIS Thrive with Pride program aims to provide safe and inclusive sporting environments for all athletes to thrive.”

You can read the full media release HERE