February 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of LGBT History Month in the UK.
The theme of this year’s celebration is activism and social change, with the monthlong event shining a spotlight on people who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing society for everyone.
Robyn Love, the BEAA’s LGBTQ+ Ambassador, has done just that throughout her career with Great Britain’s wheelchair basketball team.
A three-time Paralympian who has medalled at the World and European Championships, she became an Ambassador for the BEAA in 2023 and fulfils the same role at Athlete Ally, an organisation seeking to end homophobia and transphobia in sport.
Robyn is a role model in every sense of the word, and she is passionate about using her profile and status as an athlete to inspire and represent the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think being an ambassador is important to me because I didn’t have that when I was younger in the media, in the town where I am from and in sport,” she explains.
“It is really important to show someone that by being themselves they can lead a happier life.
“I have got four sisters and a daughter. I grew up knowing I was a role model to my younger sisters. The fact it now leads into my professional life is very normal to me because it is just who I am, and I am proud of that.
“I know how important it is to have leaders or role models listening to you and making you feel heard. That’s the difference between someone feeling good or bad about themselves and I very much go out into the world trying to make people feel good.
“I really do think that caring at that level is so undervalued. Showing kindness to people is so important, especially in the elite sport world where it is tough a lot of the time.
“Mental toughness is spoken about a lot, but kindness is important, especially in a team environment.”
Having initially come out as a 21-year-old whilst studying at Edinburgh Napier University, Robyn has been an openly gay athlete since joining the GB squad in 2014.
It was there that she met fiancé and fellow wheelchair basketball star, Laurie Williams, with whom she welcomed a daughter into the world in 2023.
The 34-year-old admits she feels fortunate that her sporting environment has always been a welcoming and supportive place for the LGBTQ community.
However, she knows that isn’t the case for all athletes and, whilst she is pleased progress has been made – particularly in the media – she feels there is still work to be done.
“Sport has come a long way, there is no denying that,” Robyn adds.
“Representation in the media is making a huge difference because athletes and celebrities being their authentic selves is allowing young people to do the same.
“The media has done a top 10 LGBTQ+ athletes for the last few Paralympic and Olympic cycles, and I think highlighting people and who they are does make a difference.
“Some people may think ‘who cares?’ but highlighting athletes who are LGBTQ+ could make the difference for thousands of kids at home realising that it’s OK for them to be that too.
“However, the fact that some people, especially male athletes, still feel like they have to put on a front, shows how far we have to go.
“As a sporting community, we really need to think about how we ensure people are supported at a systemic level. That can be the difference between them being successful or not.
“I genuinely believe that when you feel safe to be yourself you can perform at your optimum. It is not a 1% gain, it will have monumental gains for them as an athlete and as a person.”
