Curling with Pride

Welcome to the second episode of the Curling for Change Podcast! In this limited series, our host, 2023 All Heart Curling Award recipient Wil Robertson, will chat with folks from all corners of the curling community to hear their stories, their perspectives, and how we can change the face of curling and promote inclusion within our sport.

This discussion’s focus is: “Curling with Pride". Wil chats with Greg Smith, Helen Radford, and Karen Trines to hear their experiences as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ curling community, share their lessons for how curling can be more inclusive and welcoming to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and what they think the curling community ought to do to be more welcoming and inclusive for all.

If you enjoyed this discussion, and look forward to the episodes to come, please like or share this video. Anyone can tune in on Curling Canada +, YouTube, or wherever you find your podcasts!

 

Our guests: 

Karen Trines(She/Her)  – Ottawa, Ont. Karen is a 2-time Ontario Junior champion, an Ontario Mixed champion and a 2 time Ontario Women's champion, having most recently represented Ontario at the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Karen and her former teammate/partner were considered to be the first openly LGBTQIA2S+ couple to compete at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Karen is a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s #OneTeam Initiative as well as the You Can Play Regional Board, which both aim to promote inclusivity for LGBTQ2S+ athletes in sport. 

Helen Radford (She/Her)  – Halifax, Nova Scotia. Manager, NextGen for Curling Canada - Level 4 Certified High Performance Coach - Head Coach, Canadian Youth Olympic Teams - Curler, mom of a teenager.

Greg Smith (He/Him)  – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Greg is a competitive curler who has worked as a curling coordinator, instructor & coach for 9 years at the Bally Haly Golf & Curling Club. He is also 2 time St. John’s municipal council candidate and an openly Pansexual queer person has advocated for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by sharing his experiences and speaking out on injustices locally and abroad on various media platforms.