The Warwick Rowers strip off in the launch for the 2017 calendar (VIDEO)
The Warwick Rowers have become the light at the end of the dark tunnel that is this week, as they have released the teaser video for their 2017 calendar.
The naked athletes have been long standing supportive figures for the LGBT community, and in 2014 they were awarded the PinkNews Community Group of the Year award.
Year on year the group produce a calendar and proceeds from sales are donated to charities, including the Sport Allies charity the team set up, that work towards equality.
Sport Allies is about to launch an academic report on homophobia and gender inequality.
A spokesperson for the Warwick Rowers said: “There has been a 147% increase in homophobic attacks post Brexit, and it seems likely the Trump vote will amplify this globally.
“Never before has the LGBT community had greater need of its straight allies to assert that the battle for LGBT rights comes not from self-interest but from a belief in justice.”
The Warwick Rowers project is one of the world’s most eye-catching straight ally projects, and its influence continues to grow.
The team began their calendar journey in 2009, and have delivered their product globally. They aim to promote positive, inclusive and respectful attitudes towards people of all genders and sexualities through the content.
The team went to London Pride for the first time this year to challenge homophobia and break down perceptions.
One rower said: “People that are LGBT+, especially during their school years, face difficulties conforming to their identities especially because of heterosexual norms but your true identity is the best way to be.”
“Homophobia is still a problem in support and we’re here to challenge that. I’m naked for inclusion,” added another.
You can watch the teaser trailer (slightly NSFW) here:
