The Richmond Football Club and Midsumma are proudly celebrating 10 years of partnership ahead of Saturday night's Pride Round clash against Adelaide at IKON Park.
The partnership between the Tigers and Midsumma, one of Australia’s leading LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural organisations, coincided with the marriage equality plebiscite in 2017.
Over the past 10 years, Midsumma has helped guide and educate our Club, providing advice and guidance into the Club's first Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, contributing to our diversity and inclusion work, facilitating education sessions and forums, and connecting Richmond with the broader LGBTQIA+ community.
The partnership has also seen the Tigers proudly represented at the Midsumma Carnival, Pride March and Victoria Pride Street party, while Midsumma artist Matthew Chan helped design Richmond’s first AFLW Pride guernsey.
Research shows that LGBTQIA+ young people continue to experience discrimination in sport, reminding us that we all have a role to play in making football a place where everyone feels safe, respected and welcome.
That research includes stats such as:
- 53% of people have either witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport.
- LBGBTQIA+ youth are half as likely to participate in sport compared to heterosexual peers. 
- LBGBTQIA+ youth who participate in sports report better mental health.
- 40% of LGBTQIA+ people reported feeling unsafe or vulnerable in a sporting environment because of their sexuality or gender identity
(ref Vic Health, Aus Sports Commission)Â
Since 1988, Midsumma has evolved from a three-week summer festival into one of Australia’s most significant queer arts organisations, creating opportunities for artists, developing new work, supporting creative careers and elevating diverse queer voices.
