“ACCEPTANCE SHOULD BE THE EXPECTATION, NOT THE EXCEPTION”
When Becky Moloney first picked up a lacrosse stick at university in Ireland, she had no idea how much the sport would shape her life - not just as an athlete, but as an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Now an Irish international goalkeeper and youth lacrosse coach, Becky has helped create an environment where players of all identities can feel welcomed and supported.
Unlike her previous experiences in sport, Becky found an immediate sense of belonging in lacrosse. "Playing hockey all through my career, I never felt like I could be myself," she recalls. "It wasn’t a super welcoming space." Lacrosse, however, was different from the start. "Honestly, it seemed like there were more gay girls than not," she laughs. "It wasn’t something that was advertised, just a completely open and accepting space [...] Even if you don’t actively seek a safe space, you subconsciously recognise one."
Becky’s experience wasn’t just limited to university teams. When she first played for the Ireland senior squad at the 2019 European Championships, she was struck by the team’s inclusive culture. "We had about six or seven players who weren’t straight, plus a staff member who was openly gay. It wasn’t a big deal - it was just normal."
Her relationship with her now-wife was also met with support. "We were on the same team, and everyone was just so accepting. It wasn’t anything out of the norm."
As Becky moved into coaching, she became increasingly aware of the need to actively create inclusive environments. "Women’s lacrosse has always had an element of queerness, but I went from being a participant in a safe space to someone who actively tried to create one."
Her work with Ireland’s youth lacrosse programme reflects this commitment. "We actively advertise as an LGBTQ+ inclusive team. We’ve had trans players on our U20 national teams, and we’ve supported players through their transition process."
However, she acknowledges that broader governing bodies still have a long way to go. "We reached out to World Lacrosse for policy guidance, and the response was, ‘We want everyone to play.’ But we need more than that. We need clear policies on issues [like this] so we can properly support our players."