Words by Danyal Khan
As an openly gay man, seeing this opportunity was one I couldn’t refuse not to apply for. The industry is starting to welcome more representation of people from minority backgrounds, but there are still stereotypes which are holding the LGBTQ+ community back from entering the Sports Media World.
Thankfully, we are seeing a select number of LGBTQ+ people make it as a Sports Journalist. For example, we have the likes of Mark McAdam, Jon Holmes, Emma Smith, and many more represent our community in a proud fashion.
But there is still a lot more that needs to be done to encourage more representation from our community. And the start of that is to break the traditional stereotypes that have been around for a while about sports not being welcoming for our community.
I’ve used this a motivation to make a difference as an upcoming LGBRQ+ journalist, and this programme gave me the experiences to grow, learn and develop new skills and experiences that will bolster my career opportunities.
Most importantly, I’ve made memories that have lasted a lifetime, and have met some fabulous people on this programme.
Leon and Ashanti were amazing for setting and arranging all these masterclasses and experiences that all of us students enjoyed.
Additionally, to this, meeting a few LGBTQ+ people on the programme made me realise that there are people out there like myself who aim to make the same difference that I preach to make when it comes to breaking down barriers set by society.
I’m very thankful and grateful to BCOMS for welcoming and encouraging LGBTQ+ people onto this programme because it shows that the organisation want to tackle diversity with an intersectional approach.
This means not concentrating on just one form of improving diversity within the industry, but all forms matter.
And BCOMS’ willingness to understand this is helping massively with speeding up the process of diversifying our media landscape on all fronts- whether that’s increasing BAME, Female or LGBTQ representation.
So, what are you waiting for? Make sure to apply and I guarantee with everyone else who made it onto the 2020/21 programme that you will not regret it.
