The Pride House Podcast, hosted by Jon Holmes, will see a variety of athletes, coaches, officials, event organisers and human rights advocates across the Commonwealth appear on the series.

It is hoped their stories and experiences will rally wider support and understanding for important causes surrounding LGBTQ+ rights.

The podcast aims to celebrate the achievements and enhance the visibility of those providing representation for the LGBTQ+ communities in Commonwealth sport.

It will also look to commemorate the progress human rights defenders have made in the 54 countries due to compete at Birmingham 2022.

Every instalment of the series seeks to inspire potential volunteers to get involved in the campaign for LGBTQ+ rights and to encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity.

Additionally, The Pride House Podcast wishes to widen understanding relating to the role sport has in breaking down stereotypes about lesbian, gay, bi and trans people around the world.

The first episode of the series dives into the success of Pride House Glasgow, which was the first of its kind to be held during the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2014.

Pride House Glasgow co-organisers Hugh Torrance and Katherine Burrows joined Holmes, who is also a team member of Pride House Birmingham, for the episode and they discussed their original goals, and how their inclusive venue brought together a wide range of people and their favourite memories.

"I remember walking around the venue with a group of women who came from Botswana and were part of the athlete delegation," Torrance said during the first episode.

"They didn’t want people to know that they’d been in there.

"The women were in tears, absolutely overcome with emotion at being able to be in a space where they felt like they could be themselves, but also really challenged about what that meant for their life back home.

"Spending time with those women gave me an insight into what something like Pride House can be.

"You don’t always realise the level of impact you’re making but actually talking to people and understanding that can be so powerful."

A Pride House is a type of welcoming hub dedicated to developing inclusion and culture at sporting events.

The first one was organised for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and has since been present at other Olympics, Paralympics, the Rugby World Cup and the Commonwealth Games with the ambition of promoting the LGBT community through sport.

"The beauty of the model is that it isn’t necessarily one thing," Torrance added regarding what the Pride House can be.

"There are a multitude of different opportunities and experiences that can be going on, sometimes simultaneously."

For the first time in Commonwealth Games history, an edition will have the local Pride House completely integrated into Birmingham 2022 with the goal of ensuring wider awareness of its “Celebrate, Participate, Educate” ethos and programme.

Pride House Birmingham is scheduled to host a one-day Sporting Pride Conference on April 23, where people involved in LGBTQ+ sports and physical activity sectors can attend for free.

The second episode of The Pride House Podcast, which will be available later this month, will explain the history of Pride House at the Commonwealth Games and recall the Gold Coast 2018 venue.

The podcast is an independent production from Pride House Birmingham with the support of the Sport Media LGBT+.