Gay rugby advocate and LGBTI inclusion activist Andrew Purchas has been commended by us on receiving a Medal of the Order Of Australia (OAM).

Mr Purchas, who is our Vice President, was named today in the 2017 Australia Day Honours list for ‘services to rugby union and the promotion of social inclusion for LGBTI people.’

Mr Purchas has been recognised for his volunteer work with the gay and inclusive Sydney Convicts Rugby Union Club which he helped set up 13 years ago. He has also been recognised for his volunteer work with us, particularly his efforts in making Australian sport more inclusive of LGBTI players, staff and supporters through our Pride In Sport initiative.

Our President Dr Justin Koonin says Mr Purchas is a well-deserving recipient of one of Australia’s highest orders of merit. “Over the last 13 years, Andrew has played a vital role in helping deliver a range of important outcomes for our community,” Dr Koonin says.

“Through his work as Vice President of ACON, he has helped shape how our community has responded to a broad range of issues related HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI health. In particular, his contribution to our Pride In Sport initiative is helping change the face of sport in Australia by successfully addressing homophobia and transphobia both on and off the field.

“His insightful understanding of community, and his skills and expertise in engagement, have not only served ACON well but also several other LGBTI community organisations, especially the Sydney Convicts. Through his work with the Convicts, he has helped create one of our community’s most successful sporting organisations which serves as a wonderful example of the power of acceptance and inclusion.

“Andrew has been an incredible advocate for our community and we congratulate him on receiving this very well deserved honour.”

Mr Purchas says he’s thrilled and honoured to receive the award. “I’m very grateful for this honour and for the recognition that it brings to the incredible contribution of all the people working towards equality in sport regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

In relation to his work with us, Mr Purchas was elected to the our board in 2006 and has served as Vice President since 2008. Over the last few years, Mr Purchas has been a driving force behind the establishment of our Pride in Sport initiatives which provide a framework for sporting organisations to reduce homophobia and transphobia and make sport more accessible for LGBTI people.

In relation to rugby union, Mr Purchas helped found the Sydney Convicts and was the club’s president from 2004 to 2008. He then worked tirelessly to bring the Bingham Cup Tournament – the ‘world cup of gay rugby’ – to Sydney in 2014. In that year, he received the Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award.  He is the current chairman of the International Gay Rugby Association, having previously served as Vice-Chairman and Trustee.

(Photo: Star Observer)

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: +61 (02) 9206 2044   M: +61 (0)428 477 042