Author(s): RIVERA, E., RENEHAN, S., VERSWIJVEREN, S.J.J.M., HESKETH, K.D., Institution: CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY , Country: AUSTRALIA, Abstract-ID: 1291

Introduction:
The substantial health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity participation are well established, and global physical activity guidelines have been developed that align with attaining these benefits. However, individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse (LGBTQIA+) are more likely to be insufficiently active and have poorer health compared to their counterparts. Recreation centres offer physical activity opportunities but are under-utilised by LGBTQIA+ persons, who may disproportionately face barriers to using these settings. Little is known about LGBTQIA+ individuals’ recreation centre experiences and perceived strategies for improving the inclusion and accessibility of recreation settings to enhance access to physical activity opportunities. This study sought to explore recreation centre experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals and strategies for enhancing inclusion and accessibility.

Methods:
Nineteen qualitative interviews were conducted with adults (68% aged <35 years) who identified as LGBTQIA+ and who were employees, regular visitors, or residents of a Melbourne municipality. An interview schedule with questions based on an adapted version of the 7 Pillars of Inclusion framework was used to conduct the interviews. Participants were asked about their views on using three recreation centres but were not required to have had previous experience at these centres and could be current or previous users of recreation centres elsewhere. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using content analysis.

Results:
The key themes spanned providing accessible and inclusive facilities, tailored programs, accessible communications (e.g., marketing materials personalised to LGBTQIA+ community), welcoming centre culture for all users, and partnerships with organisations affiliated with LGBTQIA+ community. Although most participants mainly had positive experiences with the recreation centres’ programs and facilities, they identified accessibility barriers (e.g., inaccessible changing rooms, lack of privacy) and offered recommendations for improvement (e.g., offering classes tailored to LGBTQIA+ community, gender-neutral changing facilities, private cubicles) of recreation centres generally. Participants also recommended having events for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies, staff training on inclusion, displaying rainbow signage, using inclusive language, and an ongoing commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Conclusion:
This research adds essential knowledge regarding LGBTQIA+ individuals’ experiences of recreation centres and provides actionable recommendations for improving inclusion and accessibility in recreational settings. These results may be applicable to other recreation and physical activity contexts (e.g., sport, physical education) and may potentially improve physical activity and health outcomes among the LGBTQIA+ community.