Rainbow Giving Australia is proud to launch the first-ever Australian edition of Sweat with Pride, a national fundraising campaign inviting individuals, teams, and workplaces to get sweaty during Pride Month this June — all in support of LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing.
Inspired by the iconic Aotearoa/New Zealand initiative, Sweat with Pride dares participants to move their bodies for 21 minutes a day throughout June. Whether it’s dancing in your living room, walking at lunch, wheeling, jogging, or stretching, every drop of sweat supports programs that help LGBTQIA+ people feel safe, connected, and celebrated.
“As a former elite water polo player, I know firsthand the power of movement and sport to build confidence, connection, and pride,” said Em Scott, CEO of Rainbow Giving Australia. “Sweat with Pride is about reclaiming that space — making movement joyful, visible, and inclusive for LGBTQIA+ communities.”
The campaign has been strongly welcomed by community leaders, educators, and professional athletes, including campaign ambassador and Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities Joe Ball, who has long championed preventive health as a way to reduce disparities.
LGBTQIA+ women face systemic barriers to sport and movement.
Movement is powerful — for both physical and mental health — but many LGBTQIA+ women and gender-diverse people are excluded from traditional sport and fitness spaces. Barriers like unsafe environments, negative early experiences, and the fear of being outed continue to deter participation, with long-term impacts on well-being. According to VicHealth (2024), just 29% of lesbians in Australia participate in competitive sport, compared to around 60% of young people overall. Additionally, 80% of LGBTIQA+ participants in sport have witnessed or experienced discrimination, underscoring the need for safer, more inclusive ways to move.
A new, affirming way to move
Sweat with Pride reclaims movement as something affirming, accessible, and adaptable. It offers a safe space for LGBTQIA+ women and allies to reconnect with their bodies, their communities, and a deeper sense of purpose.
“As a queer woman, I advocate for community as an essential foundation for safety, healing, and a stronger connection to ourselves and others,” said ambassador Georgia Grace, a sexual wellbeing educator. “Sweat with Pride combines these foundations — encouraging us to connect with our bodies through movement and doing it with others.”
Also supporting the campaign is Greta Hayes, Olympian, inclusion advocate, and Pride in Sport Role Model of the Year. Greta has long championed the power of sport to create safe, affirming spaces and currently works at Hockey Australia in diversity and inclusion.
Real impact, real outcomes
Funds raised will support three organisations:
- Rainbow Giving Australia – the national LGBTQIA+ community foundation, supporting grassroots organisations delivering services in mental health, education, inclusion and community connection ACON – Australia’s leading LGBTQ+ health organisation, providing support across sexual and mental health, domestic and family violence, ageing, alcohol and other drugs, and cancer prevention
- Minus18 – champions for LGBTQIA+ youth, creating safer spaces and delivering events, education and peer-led programs that tackle isolation and build belonging
Join the movement
Les Mills is an official partner for Sweat with Pride, with trainers across Australia, including fitness instructor Hayley Gaspar — getting behind the campaign. Workplaces such as Canva, Telstra and Xero, the Australian Sports Commission, Swisse Wellness, and Perpetual are also stepping up to sweat for LGBTQIA+ health.
Rainbow Giving is inviting you to sign up now at sweatwithpride.com.au, form teams, and choose a drag ‘trainer’ personality to cheer them on throughout the month. The campaign also includes incentive prizes, such as limited edition Sweat with Pride socks, pins, tote bags, caps, access to 30 Days of Les Mills+ online platform and the chance to win Les Mills Accelerated Training home sets.
Run, walk, wheel, shimmy or skate—there’s no wrong way to get your sweat on! So what are you waiting for?
