France 2023 stands with LGBTQIA+ communities through its “Rugby is my Pride” programme

To mark the international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia, France 2023 presented its “Rugby is my Pride” programme which shines a light on measures to fight against all forms of LGBTQIA+ discrimination during Rugby World Cup France 2023, and use rugby as an inclusion tool towards these communities.

With the support of World Rugby, the French government, the FFR (Fédération Française de Rugby) and the LNR (Ligue Nationale de Rugby), the France 2023 Organising Committee has built a programme centred towards the values of solidarity and team spirit, and embodied by the practice of rugby.

Four key and symbolic moments have been announced to make this project come to life, before and during the tournament (8 September-28 October, 2023):

17 May, 2023: Official presentation of the programme “Rugby is my Pride” and its dedicated video campaign, which will be displayed in Rugby Villages and host venues of the tournament.

24 June, 2023: France 2023 and the French rugby family will stand together at the Paris Gay Pride.

11 October, 2023: For Coming Out Day, France 2023 will participate in a symposium on the subject of free-will in rugby, to take a stand against LGBTQIA+ discrimination and show the importance of sport, and of rugby, in shifting mentalities.

14 October, 2023: Around the same time as the RWC 2023 quarter-finals, a Pride Respect Cup will be organised, with eight gay-friendly teams competing (four French teams and four international teams).

The launch of this programme and its concrete actions display the ambition of France 2023 and its ecosystem to organise an inclusive event, with the aim to celebrate, together, the best of rugby, free of any discrimination.

Jacques Rivoal, President of France 2023, said: "Rugby is a sport defined by inclusivity, without any distinctions based on sex, gender, origins, or religions. This is the reason why we should take Rugby World Cup 2023 as a unique opportunity to tackle all LGBTQIA phobias in rugby, in sport and in all of society.”

For years, World Rugby has been working closely with associations, in particular International Gay Rugby, to promote Rugby for All, through diversity and inclusivity.

These values of inclusion and respect are at the heart of rugby and the international federation is proud to support a programme aimed at shifting lines off the field and 48 matches of Rugby World Cup 2023.