Professional boxing can still be a hostile space for LGBTQ+ people, but multi-weight world champion Terri Harper tries to offer support where she can.
Harper says gym members sometimes confide in her, and while she doesn’t claim to be an expert, she offers encouragement and practical advice. She stresses the importance of authenticity: “be your authentic self,” she says, and not changing who you are to suit other people’s opinions.
Following her lightweight world title unification fight with Caroline Dubois on April 5, Harper plans to start arranging her wedding with partner Gemma. She adds that she’s been fortunate not to face much overt hostility in her career and is at a point where such negativity doesn’t faze her because she knows who she is.
There are promising signs from grassroots gyms, the boxing community and the amateur ranks. Martin Stark, an activist campaigning against homophobia in combat sport, highlights the role of many women in boxing as trailblazers for change. He says that those who welcome newcomers into their gyms and support teammates offer genuine hope that the culture can improve.
However, Stark warns the professional scene is less supportive. He points out that a closeted gay or bisexual pro boxer who faces bullying may have nowhere to turn. While amateur boxing has made strides and will call out hate speech and discrimination, Stark fears leadership at the professional level could allow things to worsen and doubts homophobia in boxing will be solved in his lifetime.
Watch Terri Harper take on Caroline Dubois for the WBC and WBO world lightweight titles live on Sky Sports on Sunday, April 5.