June is Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ community, support them, and amplify their authentic voices.
The USA Rugby community grows stronger together, welcoming individuals to the sport regardless of age, gender identity, or sexual orientation. In recognition of Pride Month, several USA Eagles share why this month is important to celebrate and how members of the USA Rugby community can make the sport a welcoming and safe place for all.
Kate Zackary, USA Women’s Eagles Captain: “For me, celebrating pride is a way to honor our community members and allies who endured so much just so we could live a little more freely now. Pride month is an important time to remember the adversity we’ve all overcome, celebrate the rights we’ve reclaimed, and empower our community to love who they love without hesitation.”
Kristen Thomas, USA Women’s Sevens: “Celebrating pride allows us to demonstrate giving and receiving love authentically and organically for us. It shows that we love and accept ourselves, and hopefully can inspire others to do the same.”
Jake Lachina, USA Men’s Sevens: “Celebrating pride month is important to me as an ally because I have a number of friends and family in the community and I want them to know that I support them.”
Charli Jacoby, USA Women’s Eagles: “Celebrating pride to me is about living a life of authenticity. It’s about being proud of the person you are regardless of outside influences. My parents raised me to be a good person, a confident person and most importantly, proud of the person I am and I don’t ever intend to change. I am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community (emphasis on the ‘L’).”
Emilie Bydwell, USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach: “Celebrating pride is very important to me and my family. I am very proud of my family - I am lucky enough to have an incredible wife and two wonderful girls and celebrating that is important because it’s not something that I can ever take for granted. The ability to live this life that I love and being able to feel confident, happy, and safe is a right that has been afforded to me off the back of so many people who fought, sacrificed, and struggled for LGTBQ+ rights. By celebrating pride we honor the work that’s been done, we celebrate acceptance and authenticity of self and we provide visibility for those that need to see themselves and what their futures can and should look like.”
Gavan D’Amore, USA Men’s Sevens: “As an ally, doing so shows support and solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, which helps to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can feel accepted, valued, and celebrated for who they are. It also helps raise awareness about the challenges and discrimination that the LGBTQIA+ community faces, and learn how best to show up and fight alongside them.”
Alycia Washington, USA Women’s Eagles: “Pride is a celebration of the sacrifices of the LGBTQ+ community so I can live a happy and full life. Pride month is also a reminder of how we need to commit to a better, more open, and more inclusive future in rugby for everyone.”
Nicole Heavirland, USA Women’s Sevens: “Growing up in Whitefish, Montana, I didn’t celebrate pride too much. I have been in the San Diego community for about eight years and I’ve been to the parades and some celebrations, but it’s not really who I am. That’s just me, and I do support everyone who loves to go out and celebrate the month and enjoy it.”
Jenny Kronish, USA Women’s Eagles: “Celebrating pride is important to me because it means finding joy and confidence in who you are!”
Kate Zackary, USA Women’s Eagles Captain: “Rugby is a place for misfits. It is a sport that appeals to everyone, no matter your size, speed, strength, game understanding, or skill level.
Because the sport is still quite new, I think most clubs can struggle with recruitment, so when a new member shows up, no matter their experience level, they are met with so much warmth and excitement. Naturally, this warm welcome I think provides a safe space for those who have struggled to find a sense of belonging elsewhere and gives many members of the LGBTQ+ community a sense of family.”
Kristen Thomas, USA Women’s Sevens: “In my opinion, rugby is an extremely positive space for lesbians due to the number of queer women who have found a home in the sport. My hope is that we can make it a more safe and positive space for trans people and gay men.”
Jake Lachina, USA Men’s Sevens: “Rugby is a positive space for all communities because of the culture of inclusivity that it possesses.”
Charli Jacoby, USA Women’s Eagles: “I think women’s rugby is a very inclusive space. Is there room to evolve? Absolutely. However, I have the utmost faith in the rugby community that it will move forward and progress as it should in regards to the rights of all athletes.”
Emilie Bydwell, USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach: “Rugby at its core is inclusive. When I joined the rugby club at Brown, I had never experienced such a welcoming and empowering environment which then allowed me the space to figure out who I am and what I value as an athlete and person. You hear similar types of ‘origin stories' across the rugby community, but it’s important to continue to do the work to ensure that all spaces that we have influence over remain positive and safe, and not take things for granted just because rugby has been historically positive.”
Gavan D’Amore, USA Men’s Sevens: “Rugby at its core promotes teamwork, respect, and inclusivity. Rugby also has a beautiful history of challenging stereotypes and breaking down barriers, which aligns with the values and actions of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Alycia Washington, USA Women’s Eagles: “In my experience, rugby has been a place where everyone's differences can be celebrated. From height, to size, to sexual orientation, rugby is a game for all.”
Nicole Heavirland, USA Women’s Sevens: “I believe that rugby is a positive space for LGBTQ+ because rugby is all-inclusive to anyone. There is a position for anyone out there, all shapes, all sizes, and whether you’re tall, short, big, small. There is a position for you. Rugby brings in anyone, and we want to welcome you with open arms, make you feel comfortable in your own skin.”
Jenny Kronish, USA Women’s Eagles: “I think rugby is advertised as a ‘sport for everyone,’ which body-wise is certainly true. The truth is that rugby is for the kind of person who is strong, empowers others and enjoys doing so. These values definitely cross over into the LGBTQ+ community so I think there becomes a natural respect between the two.”
Kate Zackary, USA Women’s Eagles Captain: “During the month of pride, attend different events and support your local LGBTQ+ community. Allies play such an important role in strengthening our community, they empower us to live with confidence because we know you have our back and will always be there. Throughout the year, continue to attend any LGBTQ+ events, sport the LGBTQ+ flag so those around you know that you are not there to judge, but rather to empower and encourage a life filled with happiness.”
Kristen Thomas, USA Women’s Sevens: “There’s a lot of information circulating about LGBTQ+ experiences and history throughout pride. Take the time to read it, share it, and talk about it. I know it seems like the US is very open and accepting, but there are still hate crimes and many closeted people struggling to live their truth. You never know who is watching and who you can inspire.”
Jake Lachina, USA Men’s Sevens: “USA Rugby members can continue their support throughout the year by continuing habits of inclusion and openness to all.”
Charli Jacoby, USA Women’s Eagles: “I think by being more mindful of how we interact with others is really important. I’ve always been a huge advocate of building people up and I think that if everyone took a little more time out of their day to share some positivity, we would all be in a much better place.”
Emilie Bydwell, USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach: “This month, find ways to celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community, showing up at events, or sharing your support online — celebrating pride is not just for the people in the community, it is so meaningful when everyone participates, showing solidarity and appreciation. Throughout the year, members and fans can support through being aware of issues impacting our community and using their voice to stand up for our rights in big and small ways to continue to allow us to live equally and freely in this country.”
Gavan D’Amore, USA Men’s Sevens: “At the end of the day, its all about respect and love. Participate in local and national Pride events and support LGBTQIA+ organizations and initiatives, cultivate safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ players, learn about LGBTQIA+ issues, and advocate for equality and acceptance for all who love rugby, all year round.”
Alycia Washington, USA Women’s Eagles: “It is not enough to be passively tolerant of differences. Rugby organizations must be responsible for being enthusiastically inclusive of everyone in or around the game. A few easy first steps can be creating a well-advertised diversity statement, partnering with local LGBT+ organizations, and/or having someone on your board who oversees diversity and inclusion initiatives within your club.”
Nicole Heavirland, USA Women’s Sevens: “Be all inclusive every month. Remember that rugby celebrates and welcomes anyone to join. So if there’s a touch game near you or a game to be played, go forth and have fun, and remember you’re being supported for who you are and what you believe in.”
Jenny Kronish, USA Women’s Eagles: “Celebrate and support pride by always having an open mind, approaching individuals with kindness, and empowering others to be their most authentic selves!”
