Paris 2023 Rugby Symposium – The Inclusion Of LGBTQIA+ Communities Through Rugby

World Rugby has announced details of a symposium on “Free will in sport: how rugby is opening up to LGBTQIA+ people” to be held in Paris, France, during RWC 2023 on Tuesday, 11 October at the Carreau du Temple.

The symposium is held in association with the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) and its anti-discrimination and equality commission (CADET) and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), with the support of World Rugby and Ville de Paris, and is the first to be organised as part of a major international sporting event.

The general public can attend and can register subject to availability, and the event will be held on Coming Out Day and will focus on the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in rugby, and more broadly in sport.

A statement said, “France 2023 and World Rugby want to take advantage of the exceptional platform offered by the tournament to highlight the inclusive power of rugby and its role in combating all forms of discrimination.”

What Is “The Free will in sport: how rugby is opening up to LGBTQIA+ People” Symposium?

The organisers say the symposium will focus on “discussion and reflection by bringing together researchers, athletes, experts and/or those concerned in an interactive round table format.”

Guest speakers who have been invited and confirmed to attend include:

• English RWC 2003 Rugby World Cup champion – Ben Cohen
• French Rugby international winger – Chloé Pelle
• Chairman of International Gay Rugby (IGR) – Ben Owen

This is the third part of the “Rugby is my Pride” programme launched by France 2023.

They have produced an awareness-raising film shown before each Rugby World Cup 2023 match and participated in the Pride March on 24 June.

The Pride Rugby Cup, an LGBTQIA+ friendly tournament, is organised in collaboration with the FFR and les Coqs Festifs, to be held at the CNR in Marcoussis on 14 October 2023 and will bring the programme to a close.

Rugby World Cup 2023 News

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