Portraits of Pride

Portraits of Pride started as a portrait project focusing on rugby players at gay and inclusive rugby clubs starting with the world’s second oldest gay and inclusive rugby club, the Manchester Village Spartans. They were supported by the Sale Sharks, the professional rugby union club who play in Premiership Rugby, from Greater Manchester with these portraits being printed, signed and auctioned to raise funds for the Village Spartans. The project aimed to offer the players a voice and in doing so offer a picture of the clubs they play for and, by extension, to encourage others to step onto the pitch and benefit from the positives that the sport can offer. Portraits of Pride now includes professional athletes, portraits of current and former professional and elite athletes who support inclusivity and diversity in sports. Portraits include Tom Bosworth, the first openly gay track and field athlete, Devin Ibañez, the world’s first openly gay Major League Rugby player, Nick Heath a sports journalist and commentator and straight ally Andy Goode, former England rugby union player and second highest scorer of all time in Premiership Rugby.