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Liverpool FC is hosting the first ever Pride in Sport event, celebrating openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in sport.

The event, which takes place on Thursday January 28, has been organised by teacher and charity co-ordinator Emma Baldry who was at the forefront of Liverpool Pride’s education work last year.

She says the club was a natural choice because of its existing links with the city’s LGBT community.

“Liverpool football club was my first thought to host Pride in Sport because it was the first Premier League club to march in a Pride with Liverpool Ladies team,” says Emma. “From the day we contacted them, they’ve been absolutely brilliant.”

The night will see a mix of different sports persons join together for a dinner and guest talks from Sophie Cook, the first openly trans female Premier League football photographer, and GB paralympian Claire Harvey who will be heading to Rio in the summer.

There will also be a charity auction raising funds for Liverpool Pride 2016 and schools charity Diversity Role Models, which is being supported by famous faces from the world of sport both in Liverpool and nationwide.

TV presenter Clare Balding has donated tickets for her talk show, and Liverpool’s Smith brothers have given a set of signed boxing gloves to help the cause.

Trans boxing promoter and manager Kellie Maloney (formerly Frank) is backing Pride in Sport too. “She was hoping to come along but had another charity event on the same night, so she’s sending something for our auction and she already wants to be involved next year,” adds Emma.

The 31-year-old, who lives in south Liverpool, decided to organise Pride in Sport after Liverpool Pride 2015.

"Sport has been a bit behind in LGBT acceptance,” she explains. “In terms of football, it’s completely accepted in the women’s game and a lot of the girls are open about their sexuality, but the men don’t seem to feel comfortable to be open until they’ve retired.

"I think it’s the mentality of the fans and the stadium response that’s the problem, but then you look at the reaction to Gareth Thomas from the rugby crowd.

"The first match after he came out they gave him a standing ovation, cheered his name and then just got on the the game as normal.

"That’s how it should be, but I think it’s going to take a brave person in the Premier League to come out when they’re still playing."

Emma says campaigns like Stonewall’s rainbow laces have helped but she hopes Pride in Sport - with headline sponsorship from Barclays Spectrum - will be a big step further.

“We’ve got a Liverpool-based boxer, Debbie Mills, hockey players, athletes and football players all taking part, and our supporters have sponsored youth places so we’ve got young people coming who will be able to sit with their role models and hear the message that it’s OK to be openly LGBT in whatever your sport is,” she says.

For more information go to Planet L Events Facebook page or Twitter account.