Now More Than Ever

Now, more than ever, the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation (GLRF) is essential as a safe space for rowers, coxies, coaches, and race officials.  As an individual membership online community, GLRF offers a continuous connection between members of the LGBTQ rowing community and clubs, programmes, organizations and vendors in the broader rowing community.

We want to highlight a powerful tool on our community platform: the Share A Link feature.  It provides an opportunity for LGBTQ rowers and supportive allies to promote rowing clubs or programmes, and other rowing-related entities that genuinely support acceptance and inclusion. The goal is to help both GLRF members and website visitors to find a rowing home, vendors, and other resources where they can trust they will feel welcomed and comfortable in their identity.

Every Share A Link listing provides a descriptive text space to describe the club or programme, vendor, or organization and any supportive language for LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion. Share A Link users can search by categories, geography, and by tags, helping them find an accepting space to row and participate in the sport.  The categories, covering all aspects of the rowing experience, include: 

• Clubs & Programmes
• Open Ocean Race Teams
• Boat, Oar, and Erg Manufacturers
• Rowing Retailers
• National and Regional Rowing Federations/Associations
• Rowing Resources
• Training and Fitness Resources
• Rowing 101

Representatives of LGBTQ-inclusive clubs and programmes, vendors, and organizations are welcome to add a link for their entity.   

Why does this matter now?

The current political climate, the assault on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and programmes, and threats against LGBTQ participation in sports in the United States will (among many other things) make it harder for LGBTQ individuals to find places where they can feel comfortable and safe, and for organizations to express support for the LGBTQ community. 

Although we believe there is an urgent need to show support from the North American rowing community, it is equally important for this resource to be built out worldwide. We call on the global rowing community to support our Share A Link feature.  With robust input from both the LGBTQ rowing community and allies, Share A Link will be a powerful tool.
  
The Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation isn’t just for LGBTQ individuals.  We warmly welcome allies.  Our registration system doesn’t ask anyone’s sexual orientation, just a person’s gender identity. Belonging to the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation helps expand our network and strengthen our community.

Registering with GLRF is free, as is adding Share A Link listings (you must register to be able to add to Share A Link).

If your club or programme is a strong proponent for LGBTQ inclusion, why isn’t your link listed?