Racing's job is to convince those who are scared they can be themselves

The message I want to get across about racing's relationship with the LGBT+ community is a positive one – because there are many good reasons to be positive. Yet things can and should be better.

The fact I am a gay man has never really thrown up any problems for me in racing, but not everyone else has been so fortunate.

'We need to plan it better' - Struthers promises more on Rainbow Laces campaign

In part, it's a perception thing. Too many minority groups believe racing is not particularly welcoming to people like them. In terms of the LGBT+ community, I genuinely believe that is largely a perception, not a reality, but it's a reality in the eyes of people who feel it until you smash the perception.

That's why things like the sport's new Racing With Pride network are so important. It's also why it was heartening to see racing last weekend join other sports in supporting Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign under a 'Racing is Everyone's Sport' banner.

Jockeys at Sandown on Saturday joined racing's support of the cross-sport Rainbow Laces campaignCredit: Edward Whitaker

Like most other sports, racing fails to reflect wider society in terms of visible LGBT+ representation. There are quite obviously LGBT+ sportspeople, jockeys included, but they are seldom publicly 'out'. Nobody should feel compelled to be open about their sexuality. The real sadness is if somebody wishes to be open but feels afraid to do so. That inner repression can lead to misery.

In racing there should be no need for anyone to feel anxious about being themselves. In all probability, there is no need. The mission is to convince those who might doubt that.

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