WWW.LGBTPOWERLIFTING.ORG

Pride Powerlifting UK is thrilled to announce the next Pride Powerlifting championships, the event will be held on the 20th and 21st of July 2024 in Mansfield, United Kingdom.

Registration will commence in December 2023, please stay tuned for more announcements.

In the meantime the Pride Powerlifting Committee is looking for volunteers to help with a few tasks in preparation for next years event

– Logo and flyer design for social media
– Help administering social media platforms, (Facebook, Instagram etc..) and posting content.
– Website creation and administration.

If you can spare a handful of hours a month please reach out to pride-powerlifting@googlegroups.com
Yours sincerely,

Pride Powerlifting Committee

As we’re coming to the final couple of months to register for Guadalajara, Gay Games Powerlifting competition 2023. We now have 25 registered lifters with 15 spots still available. 

There are now over 1,000 registered athletes going to Guadalajara across a wide range of sports and we expect that number to increase rapidly over the final two months of registration especially from the host country.

The Gay Games in Mexico have full backing from the Jalisco Regional government and we are attaching an explicit communique from them to welcome all participants to these games. 

Now, what we need is enthusiasm, encouraging people to fill the spots available
So if you haven’t signed up! Now’s your opportunity – if you have any questions then I’m happy to field them directly – as your Co-Presidents, Charlotte and I will be happy to support you.

LGBTPU Co-Presidents –
Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett
Charlotte Wareing

“LGBTPU restructure of Organisation”

Further to Chris’s personal announcement, as with all organisations there becomes a time to evolve and develop and to bring new people into leadership roles.

As Chris, moves upstairs into his Founding President role, I’m sure his knowledge and wise guidance will still be welcomed from time to time to support the new structure, and it is with pleasure that we as a group, thank him for his undoubtable commitment to the LGBTPU and achieving the original objective of the organisation for the sport of Powerlifting to reappear back in the Gay Games which will happen in November, in Guadalajara this year.

In order to proceed with the structural changes, Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett will move from General Secretary, to Co-President alongside Charlotte Wareing with Ahmad and Keyz Yee becoming Joint Co-Secretaries and focussing on working towards organising Pride Powerlifting in June 2024.

In the meantime, we encourage LGBTPU associated Powerlifters to register for Guadalajara, Mexico as the host will be taking responsibility for the event, however LGBTPU Committee Members  will assist in whatever way we can and further detailed information will follow regarding the competition arrangements in due course.

Best wishes

Co-Presidents Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett & Charlotte Wareing On behalf of LGBTPU Committee 

For more information regarding LGBT Powerlifting events please contact lgbtpu@googlegroups.com

Visit the LGBTPU Facebook Page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/203653086703441

“Founding President”

Dear All,

I realise that it’s been a while since our last communication with you, but there has been a lot of things that have needed to fall into place before bringing you this latest news update.

Recently whilst in Toronto the LGBT Powerlifting Union (LGBTPU) received final confirmation from the Federation of Gay Games and their host city that Powerlifting is included and will go ahead in the Gay Games this November in Guadalajara, Mexico.

When I founded the LGBTPU as an advocacy group in 2017, with the specific aim of returning the Sport of Powerlifting to the Gay Games, I committed to serve as Co-President to achieve this aim over a five year timeline through until the original date of the games in November 2022.

As circumstances around the pandemic intervened over this last few years and the date of the games was moved to November 2023, it became necessary to extend this agreement through to the point where a seamless handover could be made to the host city and a management group to oversee the project through to its completion.

Now that this confirmation has been received full responsibility for the delivery has now been passed to the host city, who will be supported by the remaining members of the LGBTPU team. They will now finalise the plans for Gay Games XI Powerlifting and continue forward planning of a UK based event, which is scheduled for June 2024.

Over this last six years we have recruited, trained and established a broad based diverse management group, who are now experienced enough to take the LGBT Powerlifting Union through the next stage of its development. They will now handle all of the day to day responsibilities of the LGBTPU.

With the group’s original aim secured and such a strong leadership team in place, it is now time for me to move to the position of Founding President, so the group can continue its work through to the coming Gay Games in Guadalajara and onto the following Gay Games in Valencia in 2026. The group will also be hosting a new exciting event in the UK in 2024 called Pride Powerlifting Championships, which is now deep in forward planning and pre-registration will be open very soon.

I’d like to this opportunity to say it’s been a huge honour to lead such a talented team and to host athletes, coaches and supporters from all over the world at four international events over this last six years. I would also like to say a big thank you to all of the staff, officials and venues that have made our events possible over the last six years. I feel honoured  to have served as Co-President of the LGBTPU during this period and look forward to seeing you all at Powerlifting events in the future.

I would like to wish you all every success with your future lifts and competitions.

Chris Morgan

Founding President, LGBT Powerlifting Union

For more information regarding LGBT Powerlifting events please contact lgbtpu@googlegroups.com

Visit the LGBTPU here https://www.facebook.com/groups/203653086703441

The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships (LGBT IPC) are delighted to announce they will next be held in Manchester in July 2022. Once again they will be providing a safe space for Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual and Transgender (Trans)

athletes to participate and compete in strength sports. The Championships will adopt the theme of “All Equal”, which is a response to the negativity directed towards members of the LGBT+ Community within strength sports in the build up to the Tokyo Olympics.

• 

“We have been disappointed by the many unpleasant comments and protests towards LGBT+ Olympic athlete Laurel Hubbard from New Zealand over this last few weeks and we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming LGBT International Powerlifting Championship for all regardless of Sexuality, Gender, Race, Religion, Ability or Health status. The phrase “ All Equal” has been used recently by Olympic President Thomas Bach, to illustrate that everyone should respect the same rules, irrespective of social background, gender, race, sexual orientation of political belief.

“In 2022 we will once again be welcoming Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual and Trans athletes to a competitive International Powerlifting Championships from all over world. In 2018 we became the first sporting event in the world to offer an optional third gender MX Category, welcoming Trans, Non Binary and Intersex athletes to compete in strength sports for the first time. In 2022 we plan to build on this success and welcome even more LGBT+ athletes, from all over the world, to experience the special and unique atmosphere of LGBT IPC.

We are committed to welcoming all Lesbian, Gay, Bi Sexual, Trans, Non Binary, Intersex and Gender Non-Conforming athletes to compete in LGBT IPC and this year we do so under the banner of All Equal. Over the last four years we have worked extremely hard to create as many safe competitive “Routes to Platform” as possible for LGBT+ athletes and we continue to offer opportunities for all LGBT+ athletes to compete. We have accommodate everyone from novice and first timers, right through to world champions, world record holders, Arnold Classic and Olympic athletes.

We would like to take this opportunity to highlight that there are now at least forty powerlifting federations, national affiliates, championships and clubs that have adopted LGBT+ friendly policies in the last four years (See Our International Directory). Huge progress has been made since the first LGBT IPC in 2017 to provide safe and welcoming places for all LGBT+ strength athletes to participate and compete equally. “The LGBT+ Powerlifting Directory Can Be Found Here”   http://lgbtpowerlifting.org/?page_id=628 

To find out more about the championships, visit us at Facebook “LGBT International Powerlifting Championships” or at our website www.lgbtpowerlifitng.org

Forthcoming Fixtures 2021 – 2022

“LGBT IPC ANNOUNCED FOR MANCHESTER 2022” – 29^th, 30^th, 31^st July 2022

LGBT IPC 2022 will be held in Manchester at the Trinity Sports Centre, which is located just five minutes from the famous gay village and Canal Street. There is a whole programme of events planned including Weigh In, Technical Meeting, Championships, Social Evening. Congress and Closing Party.

“LGBT POWERLIFTING WORKSHOPS 2022” – London & Manchester March 2022

We offer LGBT Powerlifting Workshops every spring for Novice and First Time athletes, who are looking to train and compete in the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships 2022.

“PRIDE POWERLIFTING RETURNS AS WINTER PRIDE” – Saturday 11^th December 2021

For the first time at the end of 2021 we will be holding a “Christmas Winter Pride” event that will include: Technical Briefing, LGBT+ Bench Press Seminar, LGBT+ Bench Press Championship, followed by Christmas Drinks.

Media & Press Enquiries should be directed to Chris Morgan Co-president LGBT Powerlifting Union email chunky@chunkymuscle.com

Registration is now open for LGBT International Powerlifting Championships and Pride Powerlifting

Editors Notes:

• The LGBT Powerlifting Union is a global “Union” of athletes elected from the registered athletes and participants of the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships. The current officials of LGBTPU are from diverse backgrounds reflecting all parts of the LGBT+ community. Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual ,Transgender (Trans), Non Binary, Cis Male and Cis Female. Our adoption of the + symbol indicates we are open to all regardless of genders or sexuality, including those who identify as Trans, Non Binary, Intersex, Queer, Cis Male, Cis Female and Gender Fluid. (Please refer to note three below). It also underlines our commitment to our relationships with our mainstream and straight partners, without whom so much progress would not have been made over LGBT+ Issues during this last four years.

• LGBT IPC 2022 weekend has a full program of activities including a Technical Briefing (Friday 29^th July), Competition (Saturday 30^th July), Congress (Sunday 31^st July) and Closing Party (Sunday 31^st   July). Visit www.lgbtpowerlifting.org for more details. LGBT IPC has registered athletes from Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Romania, Sweden, United States of America and Great Britain. We welcome Trans men and Trans women who have decided to transition– who will be able to participate within either Male, Female or within Mx Category. The third gender (optional) Mx Category is also for people who do not identify as one or the other, such as Non Binary or Intersex. The new Mx Category was voted on in 2017 and introduced for the 2018 and 2019 events and the policy continues for our 2022 event.

• MX category is also an all-inclusive category for males, females, agender, aporagender, bigender, butch, cisgender, demigender, femme, non-binary, gender neutral, gender queer, gender fluid, transsexual, intergender, polygender and any other gender expression. At this time over 70 different forms of gender identity have been identified, Facebook users can choose from 50 differing gender identities. The LGBT IPC MX category uniquely has 14 gender neutral weight classes, which were specially created by merging male and female weight classes.

• Award Winning Project – In 2019 the LGBT Powerlifting Union and LGBT International Powerlifting Championships were awarded the most “Innovative Project Award” at the Out For Sports 21^st Annual Awards, hosted at the London Mayor’s Office. This awards was for their optional MX Category, where Trans, Non Binary and Intersex participants are able to choose their gender category (M, F or MX) from day one of their transition. The aim is to empower, encourage and inspire young LGBT+ athletes, by providing a safe space within strength sports for new athletes to develop.

• Gay Games Powerlifting  – The sport of Powerlifting was part of the program of Gay Games in nine Gay Games from 1982 San Francisco through to Gay Games 2014 in Cleveland Ohio. It was also part of the World Outgames in Montreal in 2006. Bench Press Single Event was part of the Eurogames in Munich in 2004. Powerlifting was not included in Gay Games Paris 2018 www.paris2018.com but will be returning in Hong Kong in 2022. www.gghk2022.com where an optional MX Category will be included for the first time. The Federation of Gay Games website can be found at www.gaygames.org.

• LGBT IPC 2022 Partners – You can get more information about our partners at their websites: Fighting Fit https://www.fightingfitstrength.com/  Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club https://bgwlc.co.uk/ Pride Sports https://pridesports.org.uk/ 

Key People – Biographies

Chris Morgan: Male Co-President, LGBT Powerlifting Union

Chris has been one of the World’s leading openly gay athletes since starting his Powerlifting career at the Gay Games in 1998.

During his twenty year career he has represented England and Great Britain a total of twenty six times, where he has taken a total of twenty eight international medals. He has been World Champion ten times, European Champion five times, British Champion eighteen times and has won six Gay Games gold medals. In 2010 and 2011 he was the overall Best Lifter at the British Deadlift Championships and in 2011 was the overall Best Lifter at the European Deadlift Championships. He is the holder of several British and World records in the Deadlift.

Chris is constantly working for the organisation that gave him confidence to be an openly gay athlete, as a global ambassador. His role for the Federation of Gay Games is to inspire and motivate young LGBT+ athletes worldwide.  In 2018 Chris was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from LGBT+ Powerlifters globally for his dedication and commitment towards inclusion and equality with the sport of Powerlifting.

Charlotte Wareing: Female Co-President, LGBT Powerlifting Union

Charlotte has been powerlifting for six years, she has won five master’s European titles and seven World titles.  

She holds 41 World Records in both raw and equipped lifting.  She has twice achieved the overall best lifter at European and World level.  Charlotte was the recipient of  the LGBT IPC “Spirit Award” at the first LGBT IPC Championships for her courage and commitment to the LGBT+ Community, which she views as one of the highlights of her career.  

Charlotte is keen to grow the sport of powerlifting and works hard to introduce the sport to novice lifters. 

More details coming soon …

The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender) Powerlifting Union have today issued a response to the recent announcement by USA Powerlifting (USAPL) regarding their decision to introduce a new MX Division for athletes of all genders. (see their enclosed press release). Their new division means that Trans, Intersex and Non Binary folks will be welcome to compete at their local, state and regional level championships right across the United States, with an opportunity to qualify for their national championships in 2022.

https://www.usapowerlifting.com/usa-powerlifting-launches-four-new-lifting-categories-in-2021/

The LGBT Powerlifting Union acknowledge any attempt by mainstream organisations to make Powerlifting and Strength sports more welcoming and accessible for LGBT+ athletes and encourages continued consultation and dialogue over these matters. We are encouraged to see that USA Powerlifting have now started to consider Transgender, Non Binary and Intersex athletes, but are disappointed that they have chosen to miss an opportunity to engage with the IOC Guidance over Trans participation.

The LGBT Powerlifting Union are pleased to be in communication and dialogue with USA Powerlifting over LGBT+ issues and will continue to represent all sections of the LGBT+ community within any further dialogue and discussions with USA Powerlifting and other mainstream federations. We are today launching our International LGBT+ Powerlifting Directory with thirty seven different “routes to platform” for LGBT+ athletes to participate in Powerlifting, showing the amount of progress that has made on LGBT+ issues over the last four years.

“LGBT International Powerlifting Championships – MX Category” 

We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the details of our own MX Category*, which was the first of its kind when it was launched in 2018. The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships* (LGBT IPC) MX Category and competition rules exceed the International Olympic Committee guidance for Trans athletes by a significant margin. Trans, non-binary and intersex athletes can participate in the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships, from the first day they make any decision regarding their gender, in gender neutral weight classes”.

LGBT IPC welcomes Trans men or Trans women who have decided to transition– who will be able to participate within either Male, Female or within Mx Category. The optional third gender Mx Category is also for people who do not identify as one or the other, such as Non Binary or Intersex. LGBT IPC were the first sports event in the world to introduce a third gender Mx Category. Athletes are able to choose to lift as male, female, or MX in the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships from the moment they make their decision.

“Increased Opportunities For LGBT+ Powerlifters Worldwide – LGBT Powerlifting Union Launch International LGBT+ Powerlifting Directory”

The LGBT Powerlifting Union would like to highlight there are now at least thirty seven federations, national affiliates, championships and clubs that have adopted LGBT+ friendly policies in the last four years (See Our International Directory http://lgbtpowerlifting.org/?page_id=628). Some of these have adopted variations of the IOC Guidance* for Trans participation, whilst others have introduced variations of MX Category. Many have also introduced codes of conduct safeguarding LGBT+ athletes from abuse, both inside competition venues and over social media.

We would also like to highlight that the Gay Games* in 2022 will for the first time offer Trans, Non Binary and Intersex athletes the option of participating in Powerlifting in an MX Category. This will be the first time in Gay Games history that any sport has adopted an optional third gender category, welcoming all LGBT+ athletes. These are all positive steps forward for all LGBT+ athletes and we welcome continued and constructive dialogue with all mainstream Powerlifting Federations over LGBT+ issues.

The LGBT IPC does not have any qualification standards and is open to athletes regardless of sexuality, gender, race, religion or ability. The LGBT Powerlifting Union have recently become full members of the Federation of Gay Games and promote the ideal of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best. The registration for LGBT IPC 2021 is now open and further details can be found at our website www.lgbtpowerlifting.org  and our Facebook Page search “LGBT International Powerlifting Championships”.

Media & Press Enquiries should be directed to Chris Morgan Co-president LGBT Powerlifting Union email chunky@chunkymuscle.com

Editors Notes:

• The LGBT Powerlifting Union is a global “Union” of athletes elected from the registered athletes and participants of the LGBT International Powerlifting Championships. The current officials of LGBTPU are from diverse backgrounds reflecting all parts of the LGBT+ community. Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual ,Transgender, Non Binary, Cis Male and Cis Female. Our adoption of the + symbol indicates we are open to all regardless of genders or sexuality, including those who identify as Trans, Non Binary, Intersex, Queer, Cis Male, Cis Female and Gender Fluid. (Please refer to note three below). It also underlines our commitment to our relationships with our mainstream and straight partners, without whom so much progress would not have been made over LGBT+ Issues during this last four years.

• LGBT IPC 2021 weekend has a full program of activities including a Technical Briefing (Friday 16^th July), Competition (Saturday 17^th July), Congress (Sunday 18^th July) and Closing Party (Sunday 19^th  July). Visit www.lgbtpowerlifting.org for more details. LGBT IPC has registered athletes from Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Germany, Romania, Sweden, United States of America and Great Britain. We welcome Trans men and Trans women who have decided to transition– who will be able to participate within either Male, Female or within Mx Category. The third gender (optional) Mx Category is also for people who do not identify as one or the other, such as Non Binary or Intersex. The new Mx Category was introduced for the 2018 and 2019 events and the policy continues for our 2021 event.

• MX category is also an all-inclusive category for males, females, agender, aporagender, bigender, butch, cisgender, demigender, femme, non-binary, gender neutral, gender queer, gender fluid, transsexual, intergender, polygender and any other gender expression. At this time over 70 different forms of gender identity have been identified, Facebook users can choose from 50 differing gender identities. The LGBT IPC MX category uniquely has 14 gender neutral weight classes, which were specially created by merging male and female weight classes.

• Award Winning Project – In 2019 the LGBT Powerlifting Union and LGBT International Powerlifting Championships were awarded the most “Innovative Project Award” at the Out For Sports 21^st Annual Awards, hosted at the London Mayor’s Office. This awards was for their optional MX Category, where Trans, Non Binary and Intersex participants are able to choose their gender category (M, F or MX) from day one of their transition. The aim is to empower, encourage and inspire young LGBT+ athletes, by providing a safe space within strength sports for new athletes to develop.

• IOC Guidance  – The LGBT IPC views the IOC Consensus Meeting on Sex Reassignment and Hyperandrogenism as the gold standard for inclusion. This guidance was formulated by over 16 experts in sports medicine and physiology by an organisation that is respected worldwide for its goals of achieve fair play and sporting excellence. A number of powerlifting federations have based their gender inclusive rules around the IOC guidance, where a trans female athlete must demonstrate that her total testosterone level in serum has been below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to her first competition. Those who transition from male to female are free to compete in the male category without restriction.

• Gay Games Powerlifting  – The sport of Powerlifting was part of the program of Gay Games in nine Gay Games from 1982 San Francisco through to Gay Games 2014 in Cleveland Ohio. It was also part of the World Outgames in Montreal in 2006. Bench Press Single Event was part of the Eurogames in Munich in 2004. Powerlifting was not included in Gay Games Paris 2018 www.paris2018.com but will be returning in Hong Kong in 2022. www.gghk2022.com where an optional MX Category will be included for the first time. The Federation of Gay Games website can be found at www.gaygames.org.

• LGBT IPC 2021 Partners – You can get more information about our partners at their websites: Cassons Strength https://cassonstrength.co.uk/ Fighting Fit https://www.fightingfitstrength.com/  Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club https://bgwlc.co.uk/ Blackpool Sixth Form College https://blackpoolsixth.ac.uk/ The Lawton’s Hotel https://www.thelawtonhotel.co.uk/ The Beechfield Hotel https://www.thebeechfieldhotel.co.uk/  Pride Sports https://pridesports.org.uk/  Funny Girls http://www.funnygirlsonline.co.uk/ The Cottage Bakery https://www.thecottagebakeryblackpool.co.uk Empowerment Charity www.empowermentcharity,org.uk 

Key People – Biographies

Chris Morgan: Male Co-President, LGBT Powerlifting Union

Chris has been one of the World’s leading openly gay athletes since starting his Powerlifting career at the Gay Games in 1998.

During his twenty year career he has represented England and Great Britain a total of twenty six times, where he has taken a total of twenty eight international medals. He has been World Champion ten times, European Champion five times, British Champion eighteen times and has won six Gay Games gold medals. In 2010 and 2011 he was the overall Best Lifter at the British Deadlift Championships and in 2011 was the overall Best Lifter at the European Deadlift Championships. He is the holder of several British and World records in the Deadlift.

Chris is constantly working for the organisation that gave him confidence to be an openly gay athlete, as a global ambassador. His role for the Federation of Gay Games is to inspire and motivate young LGBT+ athletes worldwide.  In 2018 Chris was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from LGBT+ Powerlifters globally for his dedication and commitment towards inclusion and equality with the sport of Powerlifting.

Charlotte Wareing: Female Co-President, LGBT Powerlifting Union

Charlotte has been powerlifting for six years, she has won five master’s European titles and seven World titles.  

She holds 41 World Records in both raw and equipped lifting.  She has twice achieved the overall best lifter at European and World level.  Charlotte was the recipient of  the LGBT IPC “Spirit Award” at the first LGBT IPC Championships for her courage and commitment to the LGBT+ Community, which she views as one of the highlights of her career.  

Charlotte is keen to grow the sport of powerlifting and works hard to introduce the sport to novice lifters. 

Registration opens again on Friday 1st January 2021 …

We are expecting a full LGBT IPC Championships in 2021 as all of the registrations from 2020 have been rolled over and we are planning to host both the “Class of 2020 and 2021” on the same weekend.

LGBT IPC are proud to welcome all abilities from novices, right through to World Champions. We were the first sports event in the world to introduce an optional MX third gender category in 2018 and this continues in 2021.

Our MX Category welcomes Trans, Non Binary and Intersex athletes from the first day they make their decision. They are able to choose to compete as Male, Female or MX. LGBT IPC welcomes everyone !

LGBT IPC workshop dates for 2021 will be available soon !

Chris Morgan, 10x World Champion Powerlifter & Meet Director or LGBT IPC – check out my personal website at www.chunkymuscle.com

52 Registrations for 2020 have been rolled over to 2021 ! The dates for LGBT IPC 2021 are 16th, 17th, 18th July 2021.

We are first sports competition in the world to include an “Optional” Mx Category, welcoming Trans, Non Binary and Intersex Participants to compete in Sports.

Our Trans Policy exceeds IOC Guidance for Trans Participation by some margin as participants can choose to compete in their chosen Gender Male, Female, Mx from day one of their decision.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender + – All are welcome ! We are very proud of our Mx Powerlifters who compete in LGBT IPC.

Registration is still open for LGBT IPC 2020 – The “Empowerment Edition”.

Email Chris Morgan for more details. chunky@chunkymuscle.com