Renowned sports broadcaster Clare Balding was the guest of honour at the University of Liverpool, sharing her life stories ahead of LGBT History Month.
Friday’s event, which was organised by the Liverpool University Veterinary LGBT+ Society, saw Balding discuss her career presenting major sporting events, her adoration for animals, plus her relationship with wife, Alice Arnold.
After the talk, she spoke exclusively to JMU Journalism, offering advice for aspiring female sports journalists. She said: “You should find your speciality and choose something that is growing, whether that’s netball, women’s football, women’s rugby union or women’s rugby league – which gets no coverage at all.
“Most importantly, do it because you love it so it never feels like a chore. I think the coverage of women’s sport is going to increase massively over the next five to 10 years; this will provide many opportunities.”
Twitter: Ellie Watkinson
Laughter filled the lecture theatre throughout @clarebalding’s talk about her life, broadcast journalism and her love for animals. @JMUJournalism pic.twitter.com/IXfcGOGK9a
— Ellie Watkinson (@elliewatkinson7) February 1, 2019
On the controversial current topic of equal pay, Balding OBE told JMU Journalism: “There’s a shocking disparity in pay across all areas of the media and I don’t think that can be rectified until there’s full transparency.
“Personally I think the BBC should be leading the way on that, but they are very resistant. I think that the more women who can fight for equal pay, representation and opportunity, the better.”
Throughout the lecture, there was mention of her family’s relations with the Royals and their strong horseracing connections.
The broadcaster also detailed introducing her life with Alice to her family and the public, telling the audience: “If you keep your relationship secret and you don’t share your moments of joy, you can’t grieve that relationship when it finishes in public.
“My last relationship didn’t feel real because it wasn’t of public knowledge and my parents didn’t know.
“So, when I got together with Alice, that felt like a real relationship from the beginning because it was out in the open and everyone knew about it.”
LGBT History Month, which began on February 1st, observes the community’s story, with the aim of ensuring that society and the education system is shaped to allow LGBT people to reach their full potential.
There will be a variety of events hosted by Liverpool University Veterinary LGBT+ Society during the month, listed on their Twitter page.
Twitter: LivUniEquality
Full house tonight listening to the fantastic @clarebalding thanks to @LUVSLGBT for organising @LivUni @BlackwellLiv pic.twitter.com/rC923jOVvg
— LivUniEquality (@LivUniEquality) February 1, 2019