Pride 2021 spotlight: Pull for Pride

Throughout the month of June, we’re highlighting organizations and initiatives that advocate for greater outdoor access among the LGBTQ+ community. Today’s feature is Pull for Pride, a group that supports trans powerlifters.

New Zealand’s historic selection of Laurel Hubbard to compete in the Tokyo Olympic affirms the advocacy work that Pull for Pride is doing. That’s because Hubbard will become the first out trans woman to compete in the games when she participates in the powerlifting events. Her inclusion in the games is a watershed moment for trans inclusion in sports, not just because she’s competing at the highest amateur level, but also because she is representing and backed by an entire country.

Here in the United States, Pull for Pride has been fighting for this same level of inclusion in strength sports such as powerlifting. The organization came to life in response to the 2019 decision by USA Powerlifting (USAPL) to ban trans individuals from competing in the division consistent with their gender identity. Pull for Pride is working to rally athletes and state organizations to draft a policy that is consistent with current IOC standards. So far, USAPL has rejected this effort, which means that the Olympic opportunity available to New Zealand athletes is not provided to Americans.

Pull for Pride has also created the Share the Platform grant program, which directly funds gym memberships and gear for transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex athletes who need assistance to participate in strength sports. To get involved, consider contributing to the grant program.