Making Waves – Josh Devine on Pride in Water and championing LGBTQ+ inclusion

Josh Devine believes the aquatics community is at its best when everyone feels safe to be their true selves.

As Chair of Pride in Water, he’s helping lead the charge in bringing LGBTQ+ inclusion back to the forefront of the sport, just when it’s needed most.

“We’re ready to pick up the baton again”

First launched in 2019, Pride in Water made an immediate impact, connecting LGBTQ+ people across aquatics and driving conversations around inclusion and visibility. But like many community-led initiatives, it was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The energy and momentum we had just stopped overnight,” Josh says. “We had to step back, but that doesn’t mean the need went away. If anything, it became even more important.”

Now, with renewed focus and strong support from Swim England, 2025 marks a new chapter. The relaunch of Pride in Water is a formal commitment within Swim England’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, a clear sign that the organisation is serious about building a sport for everyone.

“To have Pride in Water written into Swim England’s D&I plan is huge,” Josh says. “It’s not just a campaign – it’s part of the long-term vision for our sports.”

Creating lasting culture change

For Josh, inclusion means more than rainbow flags during Pride Month. It’s about building environments where every athlete, coach and volunteer knows they belong.

“When people feel safe and supported, they stay in the sport, they thrive, and they bring others in. That’s the ripple effect we’re aiming for, to revitalise the concept of life-long participation.”

The relaunch will include new resources for clubs, the creation of a community within aquatics and opportunities to hear directly from LGBTQ+ voices. Clubs will be encouraged to embed inclusive practices, not just celebrate them once a year.

Backed by the community, and built for it

Pride in Water’s strength lies in its grassroots roots. Josh is clear that this relaunch isn’t about starting from scratch, it’s about learning from the work that’s already been done and involving those who’ve been part of it from the beginning.

“We’ve previously had amazing support from across the aquatics family, from grassroots clubs to international athletes. This is a community-driven effort with Swim England standing firmly beside us.”

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond

The 2025 relaunch will focus on three key areas:

• Reconnecting – bringing LGBTQ+ swimmers, coaches and allies back together.
• Raising awareness – sharing stories, resources and lived experiences to build understanding.
• Embedding inclusion – helping clubs take meaningful, long-term action through training and support.
• Whether it’s through toolkits, visibility at major events, or regional networks, Pride in Water is set to make a powerful return.

Why Josh’s story matters

Josh’s personal experience in the sport and his belief in its power to welcome and uplift drives everything Pride in Water stands for.

His leadership ensures the initiative remains grounded, authentic and ready to grow. “I’ve always felt fully accepted in swimming,” he says. “Now I want to ensure that everyone gets a similar, positive experience”.

Like many in the LGBTQ+ community, Josh found that traditional school sport was somewhere he did not feel he belonged or felt comfortable. That was contrasted with aquatics where, as a competitive swimmer, he felt support and a sense of belonging, which allowed him to be his authentic self.

“Aquatics has always been a family that has openly accepted me for my ideas and passion, while supporting me to be myself. As a teenager my club and community were the ones who supported me during what was a dark time for my mental health accepting myself for who I was.”

Josh continued: “This community and acceptance continued to be a pillar for me when, in 2015, I was diagnosed as HIV positive. While the last decade has, at times, not always been easy, often with self-acceptance being the hard path, I have always found a family in aquatics.

“I was exceptionally fortunate to have my family and friends, but also colleagues and mentors across aquatics, such as David Jenkins at Dive London, who made space and time for me not only as a colleague, but as a friend and individual.

“It is that spirit of support and acceptance that I hope, together, Pride in Water and Swim England can help foster across the whole aquatics community.”

As Pride in Water makes its return, Josh hopes the whole community will play a part.

“Inclusion isn’t a niche issue. It’s how we make sure our sport reflects the best of who we are, and the best of what it can be. Equity and inclusion cannot be about ‘doing to’ communities, but ‘doing with’ to ensure that different communities are involved in the solution.”

The planning for the relaunch of Pride in Water is currently underway. With a provisional launch date of September 2025, please keep an eye on the Swim England and Pride in Water channels for further information about how to get involved.