Pride Cup is an initiative co-founded by Jason Ball, formerly an AFL footy player who came out in 2012, Jason has been proactively combating homophobia in sport, ensuring people from the LGBTQ+ community has a sense of belonging.
Fencing Victoria hosted the first ever Pride Cup for Fencing in Australia on the Sunday 21st April 2024. I asked Courtney Buchanan the Diversity Officer at Fencing Victoria, a few questions about her focus ahead of the event.
Contributor: Courtney Buchanan (Diversity Officer at Fencing Victoria)
Producer / Photographer: Ed Chiu
Date: April 2024
Ed: What is your role as Diversity Officer at Fencing Victoria about?
Courtney: As a Queer, Disabled fencer it is really important to me that Fencing Victoria is safe, accessible and inclusive. As last year’s World Fencing Day reminded us – Fencing is for Everyone!
Ed: Have you had experience in the past where you were discriminated against in the fencing sport (locally or internationally) that prompted you to do something about it?
Courtney: In 2022 I was competing with the Australian team in Seoul, during our first team match, as I went on for my 3rd bout I was paused by the referee. The opposition was refusing to fence until my pride flag patch on my back arm was removed. To stand on the piste as it was cut off my arm, while the event was live streamed by our opponents on Facebook was very disheartening. And also, very motivating – Fencing can do better. As long as there is one person who sees my pride patch and feels a little bit less alone, then it is all worth it. I’m on patch number 3, I will keep wearing them.
Ed: Fencing Victoria has always promoted a safe environment for all fencers, how has the LGBTQI fencers fit into this framework?
Courtney: Victoria has a really rich and diverse community that includes multiple language groups, identities and cultures. We have a united interest and love – fencing. I think this is what brings us all together, LGBTQI fencers fit into the framework of FV just as any other fencer does and that is so important
Ed: Trans athletes have been a hot topic in recent years. What do you hope to achieve in Pride Cup for trans people who want to compete but have never had much access in conventional comps?
Courtney: I’m really proud of the work FV has put into our Transgender and Gender Diverse Athlete Policy, which was approved by the board mid last year. For all Fencing Victoria hosted ‘Category 2’ events, competitors are welcomed to enter the event which most affirms their gender. The policy also prioritises safety and inclusivity. FV has provided referees and officials with support for this policy to be effective.
Pride Cup is our next chance to celebrate the diversity of our Fencing Victoria community – which includes a range of gender expressions and identities. By removing binary gender categories for the day I hope that we can truly celebrate Pride – in all its beautiful forms!
Ed: We can’t do this alone, who would you like to see at the Pride Cup?
Courtney: Pride Cup is for everyone, it is open to all who wish to participate, and there are no qualifying standards.
Fencing Victoria’s strength is our community, and the support it provides to people to be their truest self. This is what the Pride Cup is celebrating. You do not need to identify as queer to acknowledge the importance of a Pride event, allyship is just as important as queer visibility. We need both to make an impactful social difference.
At our inaugural Pride Cup I would like to see young and old, queer and ally, disabled and abled and everyone who feels like they fit somewhere in between!
Ed: We often talk about ‘action speaks louder than words’ but a lot of businesses and organisations seem to fail to push further than a few words on their websites. How do you think the Pride Cup will help in terms of taking real action?
Courtney: Pride Cup is a direct action, one that would not be possible without several direct actions taken before it. It demonstrates an on-going commitment to inclusivity. It is the first event of its kind in Australian Fencing (as far as I am aware!) and it is only the beginning of what our community, at a club, state and national level can achieve.
Click here to view all the photos from Australia’s first Fencing Pride Cup, hosted by Fencing Victoria on the Sunday 21st April 2024. The event was photographed by 3 photographers. You can download and share onto social media, please tag and caption the photographers. Thanks!
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