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 contactlgbtpu@googlegroups.com
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
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” – 29th,
30th, 31st 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 11th 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 29th July), Competition (Saturday 30th July), Congress (Sunday 31st July) and Closing Party (Sunday 31st 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 21st 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.
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.
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.
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 16th
July), Competition (Saturday 17th July), Congress (Sunday 18th
July) and Closing Party (Sunday 19th 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 21st 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.
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
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
The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships
Announce their theme for 2020 – “Empowerment”.
This will be in collaboration with Blackpool’s Empowerment Charity that provides advocacy services within the Blackpool Community for those who may be multi-disadvantaged. Empowerment Charity is the chosen charity of Blackpool’s Lady Mayor Amy Cross and LGBT IPC 2020 will be flying the “Empowerment” flag during 2020 as part of the Mayors Fundraising campaign. LGBT IPC athletes and officials are invited to attend the Mayors Ball at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on 21st March, which is in aid of Empowerment.
The
LGBT (Lesbian,Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender) International Powerlifting
Championships will be held in Blackpool, United Kingdom on the 17th,
18th & 19th July, athletes will compete in the disciplines of
Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. Last year’s event attracted 50 athletes and a
further 100 coaches, friends, family and spectators attended the event, from countries
including Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Germany,
Romania, The United States of America and of course the host nation Great
Britain) – numbers are expected to increase this year and general Registration
is now open for LGBT IPC 2020.
Chris Morgan, The Meet
Director of LGBT IPC, Male Co-President and Charlotte Wareing Female
Co-President of the LGBT Powerlifting Union, commenting on this year’s
Championships ….
“Last year’s event saw
National and World record standard performances, a Civic Visit from the Lady
Mayor of Blackpool and even a marriage proposal during the medal ceremonies.
The atmosphere in “The Auditorium” was electric, with lifters of all abilities
taking part from novices, through to national and world standard lifters – all
coming together and creating a magical experience”.
“We are delighted to be
inviting Lady Mayor Amy Cross back to the Championships, along with her chosen
Charity Empowerment as our theme for 2020. The purpose of LGBT IPC is to
provide a safe space for LGBT strength athletes to connect, grow and feel
Empowered. The collaboration with Empowerment Charity is the perfect way for us
to embrace these values”.
Amy Cross, The Worshipful Mayor of Blackpool, reacting to
the announcement Said ….
“It was wonderful to watch the LGBT International
Powerlifting Championship last year and present the athletes medals. The
contestants showed their strength in a number of ways, explaining how they had
come to be in the competition and sharing their experiences.
“ The people I met where brave, kind and all to happy to
share. This group of people were inspirational and helped to empower each
other. I’m absolutely delighted that LGBT IPC has adopted the Mayors Charity
Empowerment, as their theme for 2020”.
Mike Crowther, Chief Executive Officer of Empowerment
Charity, reacting to the invitation for Empowerment to Said …….
“I am delighted that ‘Empowerment’ is the chosen charity
partner for the LGBT IPC in 2020. As a charity we empower everyone we support
to reach their own unique potential; no matter who they are”.
“The values of the LGBT IPC match ‘Empowerment’ values
and that’s why we are such a perfect partnership!”
The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships are all
gender inclusive and everyone is welcome to participate regardless of gender,
sexuality, race religion or ability – there are in fact no qualifying
standards. In 2018 LGBT IPC was the first sports event in the world to
introduce an optional MX Category, welcoming Trans, Non Binary and Intersex
athletes to participate and compete in sports.
We are very grateful to all of our partners who make LGBT
IPC possible including Blackpool Sixth Form College, Bethnal Green
Weightlifting Club, Casson’s Strength, Cottage Bakery, Fighting Fit
Powerlifting Club, Funny Girls, Pride Sports, Wilkinsons Hotel Group and of
course our new partner for 2020 Blackpool’s very own “Empowerment Charity”.
Editors Notes:
LGBT
IPC 2020 weekend has a full program of activities including a Technical
Briefing (Friday 17th July), Competition (Saturday 18th
July), Congress (Sunday 19th July) and Closing Party (Sunday 20th July). Visit www.lgbtpowerlifting.org for more details.
LGBT
IPC 2020 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 third gender 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 event and the
policy continues for our 2020 event.
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 has now been
confirmed to be returning in Hong Kong in 2022. www.gaygameshk2022.com The Federation of Gay Games website can be found at www.gaygames.org
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 gay athletes worldwide.
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.
The LGBT Powerlifting Union are a group of athletes, with focus on giving LGBT Powerlifters representation with both mainstream and LGBT Sports organisations.
We have recently been negotiating with the Federation of Gay Games about inclusion of Powerlifting in Gay Games XI in Guadalajara, Mexico.
We have also been helping mainstream organisations create their LGBT+ and Trans policies, to make sure they are as inclusive and fair as possible.
LGBT IPC
The LGBT International Powerlifting Championships are currently organised by “The Union”. They are competitive championships, designed to encourage LGBT+ Participation in the sport and welcome everyone.
We currently offer Novice, Closed, Open categories for participants, which gives LGBT+ athletes as much choice as possible to compete. (See competition rules for more details of this).
LGBT IPC started in 2017 and in 2018 was the first sports event in the world to offer an MX third gender category, welcoming Trans, Non Binary and Intersex athletes to compete. The LGBT IPC in 2022 will also have an MX Category !
In 2019 LGBT took place in Blackpool, UK and In 2022 LGBT IPC took take place in Manchester, UK . We look forward to welcoming you at future LGBTPU events.
