At the Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary this winter, history was made. It was a monumental moment for Canadian curling and the LGBTQ+ sports community. Curlers John Epping and Greg Smith squared off, at the 2021 Tim Hortons Brier, Canada’s national men’s curling championship. This marked the first time that two skips who are open members of the LGBTQ community played one another in the Canadian men’s curling championship.  

Great moment with my friend and fellow competitor @EppingJohn as two openly 2SLGBTQIA skips played against one another today! 🥌

Proudly showing who we are on and off the ice. 🏳️‍🌈

No matter who you are, you can play any sport or do anything at the highest level! pic.twitter.com/hEjnu1OXLQ

— 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗴 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 (@gregsmithnl) March 10, 2021

Smith is the skip for Team Newfoundland/Labrador and Epping is the skip for Team Ontario. After the final rock was thrown, Epping’s team had won the match but the significance of the match did not end there. In a post-game photo op, the two athletes posed together holding the pride flag.  

Curling in Canada has been recognized and commended for its efforts and examples of inclusion within the league. Epping and Smith are just two examples of openly gay athletes setting an example for others. As a child, Smith did not see himself reflected in sport and now, given the opportunity, wants to be that needed role model for others. Although curling is a very inclusive league, other National sports leagues are lagging behind and could learn something from Curling Canada.  

The world of competitive sport has often been associated with harmful and discriminatory views of gender and sexuality. In the past, many LGTBQ athletes were forced to hide their sexuality, in fear they would not be accepted by teammates, fans or the league. In recent years, many sports organizations are attempting to change this and make sports more inclusive, however there is still much more work to be done. Epping and Smith’s match up, two members of the LGBTQ community facing off against each other, is a big step in the right direction. Competing at the highest level, these two athletes are proof that any barrier can be broken.  

Maddy Earl

Featured image: curlers John Epping (right) and Greg Smith (left)  (Source: The Canadian press)