LEAP Sports Scotland
LEAP Sports are Scotland’s LGBTIQ+ sport charity. We work for greater inclusion by breaking down the structural, social and personal barriers which prevent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people across the country from accessing, participating and excelling in Scottish sports.
Everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of sport and we are dedicated to recognising and celebrating diversity in Scottish sport.
We work with the sports sector, community groups and other stakeholders from all across Scotland to support the development of LGBTIQ+ sports organisations, challenging discrimination, increase LGBTIQ+ visibility in sport and influence sports policy. We also provide pathways into sport and physical activity for LGBTIQ+ people via projects and events such as:
- Get Out Glasgow – for all LGBTIQ+ people over 18
- Just Active – for LGBTIQ+ people with experience of the asylum system
- Trans Active Gla – for trans and non-binary people over 18
- Projects with children and young people:
- LLAMAS Youth Sports Group – for LGBTIQ+ people aged 13-17 to try different sports and connect with others. Weekly on Wednesdays in Glasgow.
- Active TRANSition – for trans and non-binary people aged 16-25 to feel better while on the gender service waiting list through gym sessions and personal development. 4-month programme in Glasgow.
LEAP Sports work in cycling
In 2021, we ran a Queer Bike Tour of Glasgow for Festival Fortnight, Scotland’s LGBT sports festival.
Bike for Good also delivered cycling taster sessions and 10 week cycle confidence courses for the Get Out Glasgow and Trans Active groups.
Other events in 2022 and 2023 included:
- A led ride to Trans Pride in Paisley
- A ride around Millport for LGBT young people as part of the Pride Youth Games
- Some fix your own bike sessions for LGBTIQ+ people
- A Queer Bike Tour of Glasgow for Festival Fortnight and for new Scots as part of LGBT History Month.
- A cycle confidence course for LEAP Sports Just Active group which supports LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers.
- A protest ride during the UCI Cycling Competition to raise awareness that transwomen had been banned from participating in the women’s category which Patrick Harvie joined us for. The ride ended with speeches at Queens Park Flag pole.
In 2022 LEAP Sports applied to the Go Cycle Fund to purchase a pool of bikes for LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and LEAP staff to use to attend meetings.
In 2024 we received a second year of funding from the Go Cycle Fund to deliver:
- Velodrome taster session for Glasgow Inclusive Cycle Club
- Bike maintenance course with Dynamo CIC
- Cycle Confidence Course with Dynamo CIC
- Dr Bike sessions with Dynamo CIC
- Cycle Touring course culminating in a trip to Arran with Dynamo CIC
- Active Travel Seminar to close the project hosted by Scottish Cycling
In 2024, we also applied to Cycling UK’s Cycle Access Fund to enable one of the project participants to get his own bike.