Jon Holmes
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jonhholmes.bsky.social
Jon Holmes
@jonhholmes.bsky.social
Journalist and consultant. Founder and lead of @sportsmedialgbt.com; writer at @outsports.com; comms for @footballvhomophobia.com; committee member of @sportsjournalists.co.uk and @fwaofficial.bsky.social

🌐 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-holmes-sport
In football, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, basketball, speed skating, ski jumping, volleyball, GAA, AFL, diving and handball… here are 16 #LGBTQ athletes who shared their truth publicly for the first time in 2025. #CourageIsContagious

For @outsports.com #comingout

@sportsmedialgbt.com
These athletes all celebrated coming out as gay, bi or queer in 2025 - Outsports
Coming out is often complicated, but speaking your truth publicly is still so powerful, as these athletes demonstrated in the last year.
www.outsports.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Here's my big gay sports Review of 2025... some great moments, particularly working with @footballvhomophobia.com friends, and inspirational LGBTQ athletes from elite to grassroots 👏

(and if I missed anything major, profuse apologies)
🎉 In 2025, we cheered for our queer sporting heroes in action overseas, and campaigned hard at home in an ever-challenging climate for #LGBTQ people...

Featuring mentions for the Women's Euros, the World Athletics Championships, the FvH Awards, and much more, check out our annual Review...

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The Sports Media LGBT+ Review of 2025: Queer Euros, a gay Glasgow gala, and trans solidarity
A record number of out LGBTQ athletes thriving at the UEFA Women's Euros and the World Athletics Championships wre among our highlights of the last 12 months; at home, resilience was needed as we supp...
sportsmedialgbt.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:33 AM
❓ Distract yourself with the @outsports.com ‘12 Gays of Christmas’ Quiz of the Year… test your knowledge of #LGBTQsports people in 2025
Play the Outsports '12 Gays of Christmas' Quiz of the Year! - Outsports
How much do you remember from the last 12 months of Outsports stories? Test your knowledge!
www.outsports.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🎅🏻 Season’s greetings from Sports Media LGBT+ - thanks for helping to keep my hustle going for another year 🙏
🎄 Happy holidays everybody! Wishing you all a peaceful and sport-filled Christmas period…

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Thank you for following us here, and for your support for Sports Media LGBT+ in 2025

#LGBTQsports #LGBTQfootball
December 24, 2025 at 12:56 PM
🥇 Jimmy Sukyik is an elite kickboxer from Thailand who's just followed up his World Cup gold medal with another at the SEA Games.

He's also gay and was honoured earlier this year by Bangkok Pride organisers for representing the #LGBTQ community in his sport.

All about Jimmy, for @outsports.com
Gay kickboxing star wins gold medal at major international event - Outsports
Pikanet “Jimmy” Sukyik is celebrating success and self-expression at the 2025 SEA Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
www.outsports.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
Are you LGBTQ+ and working in media in the UK? InterMedia UK wants to hear from you! ⬇️
🎄 Happy holidays! Over the festive period, take a couple of minutes to fill in the InterMedia UK annual survey, and share with #LGBTQ friends and colleagues in UK media.

👉 forms.gle/jHD3T21czhyi...

It's your chance to have your say about the industry, and our community's place within it 🙏🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
December 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🏆 NEW: Kerstin Casparij is a Hero winner at the @outsports.com Awards 2025, in light of her authenticity and her allyship towards all #LGBTQ people.

A sharp cookie both on and off the field, we love her puns, her cats Mango and Kiwi, and her sense of Pride.
Man City star Kerstin Casparij is Outsports' Female Hero of 2025 - Outsports
Dutch star Kerstin Casparij has supported trans women, taken part in a gay advertising campaign while excelling on the pitch for Manchester City.
www.outsports.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
🏒 #HeatedRivalry will land on British TV in the same month as the Elite Ice Hockey League’s annual Pride activation.

A new short film called ‘Pride. On Ice?’ has just been released, about the LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative in UK hockey. It features out bi player Zach Sullivan.

For @outsports.com
Heated Rivalry hits UK TV in January and will be hugely relevant - Outsports
The hottest show of the moment will hit UK TV screens in the same month that British hockey teams celebrate Pride Weekend.
www.outsports.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:04 PM
NEW: On a long drive recently, I listened to “The Escape” by Pippa York and David Walsh on audiobook.

The superb narration made Pippa’s memories of the Tour de France and her transition even more engaging.

Whether you’re a big cycling fan or not, I can’t recommend it enough.

For @outsports.com
Tale of Tour de France and being trans is 'The Escape' we need - Outsports
Pippa York's memoir, co-authored by David Walsh, has won a major literary award. The audiobook is very good company on a long drive.
www.outsports.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
🎯 A gruelling year and a tough #WCDarts first-round draw for Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who lost to Peter Wright

🗣️ “Just to be here, the feeling is great, but I just wish I had played a little better. I just wish I had hit those doubles.”

For @outsports.com
Noa-Lynn van Leuven's World Darts return is boost for trans people - Outsports
At the end of a gruelling year, Noa-Lynn van Leuven deserves credit, despite defeat to former world champion Peter Wright.
www.outsports.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
🚨 That sound you can hear… it’s the FvH Awards nominations window beginning to close! 😮

Before the Sunday night deadline, be sure to get your entries in and help us ensure those making a real difference for #LGBTQ people in #football - all around the world - get some deserved recognition… 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️

👀 ⬇️
Who should be honoured at the FvH Awards 2026? Nominate now!
FvH opens nominations window for 7th edition of its annual awards, celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion in the game You can nominate for FREE in 12 categories, with panel of judges to decide shortlists Those ...
www.footballvhomophobia.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
🩷⏳ Time is running out to enter the FvH Awards 2026! Don’t miss your chance…

🗳️ You can nominate for FREE in one or more of 12 categories - be sure to submit before the deadline of Sunday 14 December, 11.59pm

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#FvH2026 #FvHAwards #FvHAwards2026 #FootballvHomophobia
December 13, 2025 at 10:38 AM
🏓 Lily Zhang v Anthony Edwards is the #BattleOfTheSexes we actually wanted, and finally it’s here!

Even better, Lily and her girlfriend Jessie - who describes herself on Insta as a “silly goofy tt WAG” - have started a very cute and chaotic vlog together.

For @outsports.com #tabletennis #LGBTQ
Lily Zhang faces her NBA frenemy and shares 'chaotic' love story - Outsports
Lily Zhang recently played Anthony Edwards at table tennis, reached a ranking milestone and started a vlog with her girlfriend.
www.outsports.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
The Football v Homophobia campaign notes from the latest FA Grassroots Discipline Review that “offences referencing sexual orientation have continued to rise” within the wider context of data presented from the 2024/25 season.

#FootballvHomophobia #FvH2026 #LGBTQfootball #FootballforEveryone

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December 12, 2025 at 4:06 PM
NEW: Lewis Gibson isn’t just representing #TeamLGBTQ at #MilanoCortina2026, he’s helping to build it as a Pride House ambassador.

He tells me having his husband, family and friends in the arena to cheer him and Lilah on will mean so much.

For @outsports.com

@sportsmedialgbt.com #Olympics #LGBTQ
Lewis Gibson is a gay athlete confirmed for 2026 Winter Olympics - Outsports
Lewis Gibson tells Outsports of his excitement after being announced on the Great Britain figure skating team for the Milan Winter Olympics.
www.outsports.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
Iran and Egypt are protesting the designation of their #FIFAWorldCup match in Seattle as a 'Pride Match,' with the countries' anti-gay laws.
Iran and Egypt ask FIFA to cancel World Cup Pride Match - Outsports
Iran and Egypt are protesting the designation of their World Cup match as a 'Pride Match,' with the countries' anti-gay laws.
www.outsports.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
Iran will reportedly protest its World Cup Pride Match with FIFA - www.outsports.com/2025/12/9/24...
December 9, 2025 at 4:17 PM
NEW: The #FIFAWorldCup match in Seattle on June 26 had already been designated as a “Pride Match” before the fixtures were decided. Now we know the teams who will play in it… Egypt and Iran.

Both nations have draconian anti-gay laws.

For @outsports.com

#LGBTQ #football @sportsmedialgbt.com
Iran and Egypt set to play Seattle's World Cup LGBTQ Pride Match - Outsports
A World Cup match in Seattle has been named the Pride Match. That game now features Egypt and Iran, which imprison gay people.
www.outsports.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
NEW: As Gianni Infantino danced to Village People’s “YMCA” at the #WorldCup2026 draw, it seemed the FIFA President had finally found the right mood for his famous “I feel gay” speech.

Meanwhile, a gay former player is flagging LGBTQ safety at WC2026 games.

For @outsports.com

#WorldCupDraw
Village People make FIFA chief feel gay again at World Cup draw - Outsports
The performance of gay anthem "Y.M.C.A." closed a show in which the FIFA President once again made a spectacle of himself.
www.outsports.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
Thanks to our friends working on the FSA’s #FansforDiversity initiative for the recent opportunity to speak at their Hub meeting.

At FvH, we’re busy planning for our annual Month of Action in February 2026, speaking to LGBTQ+ fan groups, club EDI leads, and other connections old and new.

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FSA hosts first LGBTQ+ Supporters’ Hub meeting - Football Supporters' Association
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) held the first meeting of its new LGBTQ+ Supporters’ Hub on Monday 24th November, bringing together LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups from across the country alongsi...
thefsa.org.uk
December 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
NEW: Every #comingout story matters, more so for gay guys in sports, and it’s never a one-off.

Movingly, influencer Tadhg O’Brien has shared his for the first time with his 150,000 followers and says he’s now returned to playing #GAA.

We chatted for @outsports.com

#LGBTQ #Ireland 🇮🇪🏳️‍🌈
Gay adventurer Tadhg O'Brien on coming out and returning to football - Outsports
Irish influencer Tadhg O'Brien talks to Outsports about publicly coming out as gay in a viral video, and his love for Gaelic football.
www.outsports.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Not only did this football journalist call out homophobia, but he also shared with viewers of his TV show that he’s a gay man.

That took courage, in a sports culture where even wearing pink is still seen by some as a sign of weakness 🙄

For @outsports.com
ESPN journalist tells viewers he is gay, as he calls out coach's slur - Outsports
After the coach of one of Brazil’s top soccer clubs used a gay slur, broadcaster Ricardo Spinelli responded on air with great courage.
www.outsports.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:46 PM
In 1989, Jim Howley learned he had developed AIDS. Doctors told him he had 18 months left to live.

Incredibly, 7 years later, Howley completed the #Ironman triathlon, inspiring other HIV+ athletes worldwide.

He died in July 2025. Here is his remarkable story, on @outsports.com for #WorldAIDSDay
Gay HIV+ athlete Jim Howley remembered on World AIDS Day - Outsports
Tributes have been paid in recent months to the remarkable Jim Howley, whose endurance exploits in the 1990s earned him countless admirers.
www.outsports.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
❤️ On #WorldAIDSDay, we recognise the global power of football and sports to help in ‘Overcoming Disruption’.

This year, the sudden cuts in funding have put progress at risk, with HIV services impacted and access to prevention medicines reduced in many countries.

@sportsmedialgbt.com

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December 1, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Jon Holmes
🗳️ The nominations box is OPEN for the Football v Homophobia Awards

🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️ Help us recognise all those who are helping to make football more #LGBTQ inclusive, wherever in the world they may be

Read James’s #FvHAwards story on @outsports.com + nominate today!
Award winner urges LGBTQ soccer gamechangers to go for gold - Outsports
It's nominations time for the annual Football v Homophobia Awards. Former winner James Laley tells Outsports why the event matters in the global game.
www.outsports.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:45 PM