Community Pride: DC Strokes and Melbourne Argonauts
This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Live2Row, Barb, EB5 Investors, and our Patrons.
PRIDE MONTH SPECIAL: PART 1
Only a handful of rowing clubs around the world cater specifically to the lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, questioning and ally community. In Part 1 of our Pride special, we introduce you to DC Strokes Rowing Club’s long-time member and coach Lis Fondreist, and president of the Melbourne Argonauts Queer Rowing Club, Josh Lipscombe. They talk with us about rowing and the gay rights movement in the 1990s, safe spaces, and why this part of the diversity issue is still relevant today.
DC STROKES
www.dcstrokes.org
IG: @dcstrokesrowing
Twitter: @dcstrokes
MELBOURNE ARGONAUTS
www.melbourneargonauts.com.au
IG: @melbourneargonautsrc
Twitter: @melbourneargos
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Podcast lead-in
02:05 - Rachel and Tara pre-show banter
13:29 - Welcome
11:40 - Team Huddle with Lis and Josh
15:25 - (Not So) Rapid Fire Q&A
21:29 - Josh was one of the “weird” kids who wasn’t good at other sports, until he found rowing
22:58 - Lis was tempted into rowing while watching West Point cadets racing in a regatta
27:12 - The “why” behind a commitment to rowing
29:39 - The rowing and LGBT scene in Melbourne
32:36 - Founded in 1991 and 2001 respectively, DC Strokes and Melbourne Argonauts are safe community spaces AND making waves in their rowing communities
40:23 - Gender inclusion policies
46:27 - Pride activities and participation
50:55 - The importance of LGBT rowing clubs as safe spaces
54:08 - DEI and building an atmosphere of inclusion
56:48 - The year to come
1:02:27 - After the show
This episode was made possible in part by: Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Live2Row, Barb, EB5 Investors, and our Patrons
EPISODE Mentions
POLICIES
Rowing Australia Transgender Inclusive Community Sports Guideline (PDF)
USRowing Gender Identity policy (PDF)
World Rowing Statutes and Rules of Racing
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Smith College
This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Tara Morgan and Rachel Freedman. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.