S4E11 - Community Pride: DC Strokes and Melbourne Argonauts

PRIDE MONTH SPECIAL: PART 1

Only a handful of rowing clubs around the world cater specifically to the lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, questioning and ally community. In Part 1 of our Pride special, we introduce you to DC Strokes Rowing Club’s long-time member and coach Lis Fondreist, and president of the Melbourne Argonauts Queer Rowing Club, Josh Lipscombe. They talk with us about rowing and the gay rights movement in the 1990s, safe spaces, and why this part of the diversity issue is still relevant today.

Listen to Part 2 of our Pride month special – a chat with LGBTQ+ club Chicago Rowing Union's Michael Toutloff

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QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Podcast lead-in
02:05 - Rachel and Tara pre-show banter
13:29 - Welcome
11:40 - Team Huddle with Lis and Josh
15:25 - (Not So) Rapid Fire Q&A
21:29 - Josh was one of the “weird” kids who wasn’t good at other sports, until he found rowing
22:58 - Lis was tempted into rowing while watching West Point cadets racing in a regatta
27:12 - The “why” behind a commitment to rowing
29:39 - The rowing and LGBT scene in Melbourne
32:36 - Founded in 1991 and 2001 respectively, DC Strokes and Melbourne Argonauts are safe community spaces AND make waves in their rowing communities
40:23 - Gender inclusion policies
46:27 - Pride activities and participation
50:55 - The importance of LGBT rowing clubs as safe spaces
54:08 - DEI and building an atmosphere of inclusion
56:48 - The year to come
1:02:27 - After the show

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To see photos of Lis, Josh, and their clubs, and to get links to the people, policies, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Live2Row, Barb, EB5 Investors, and our Patrons.