(February 2, 2021) – Running USA aims to help the running industry embrace the full diversity of our existing and potential runner communities and ensure the industry is provided with the tools and knowledge to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming.
With this goal in mind, Running USA, the non-profit trade organization for the running industry, is excited to announce the first phase of its DEIA program which focuses on the LGBTQ+ community. This phase of the initiative has been developed with the expertise of the Equality Institute and was made possible by a grant from Brooks Running.
The LGBTQ+ initiative has three goals:
- Help the running and endurance industry become a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Create awareness among members of Running USA of the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion at their events.
3. Provide practical tools for the members of Running USA in the form of webinars, white papers and inclusive policies.
To make phase 1 of the DEIA initiative impactful for all, we need your help! Please take 5 minutes and complete the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Self Evaluation and Survey.
The self-evaluation can help event producers understand a bit more about how to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion at your events and at the same time, help Running USA develop a framework and best practices for the running industry. All survey responses are anonymous.
Your responses will help create educational tools, customizable policy templates, and action items for Transgender and Non-Binary inclusion specifically tailored for running events and related programs.
Simply taking this self-evaluation is a positive step towards inclusion. Though some of these questions may seem direct, they are useful to help understand where you are now and what more you can do to help your organization serve a growing market of LGBTQ+ athletes.
About Running USA
Running USA is a non-profit organization committed to the growth and success of the running industry. Our promise is to deliver quality education, exceptional industry content, valuable research and ample networking opportunities. We connect. We support. We educate. Running USA brings together an entire community. As the voice of endurance running, we’re all about connection and collaboration. Whether we’re connecting race organizers with sponsors, partners and athletes, or connecting our members with vital information and best practices, our goal is to raise the profile of running and help more people get more out of it. For more information, visit runningusa.org
