Inclusive and gay friendly rugby team in SW England, new players always welcome; proud hosts of 2013 Bristol Union Cup
Bristol, England
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Due to the direction that the platform has taken, Bristol Bisons are hereby ceasing to use X for social media.
As a club, we’re more active than ever before. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok for updates and email channels are always open if you need to contact us.
👋🏼🦬
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And just to reiterate as it’s trending:
Trans Men are men, and more than welcome in Men’s Rugby.
#TransMenAreMen
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The Bisons are keeping themselves entertained during lockdown.
We hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy, we’ll see you back in the normal world.
#rugby #inclusiverugby #bristol #bristolbisonsrfc
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In the spirit of inclusivity, the backs were doing lineouts as well at Pride (arguably more impressive than the forwards’ js)
#rugby #inclusiverugby #bristolpride #bristolbisonsrfc
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The Bisons stand by the Trans Community in light of the RFU statement on Trans Women in Rugby.
Our head coach Sasha has put into words her thoughts and feelings as a former professional women’s Rugby Player on the situation.
#transwomenarewomen #TransWomenbelonginsport
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With heavy hearts we are sharing the news that one of our members has been detained pending deportation from the UK.
Kenneth Macharia has had his request for asylum rejected and now risks being deported to Kenya, fearful of persecution and violence in Kenya because he is gay.
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A petition has been set up in aid of Ken's cause. We'd be eternally grateful if you could sign, share and shout about it as time is very much of the essence.
We are contactable through social media and our usual email for any correspondence.
Thank you
change.org/p/stop-the-deport…
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It's been a long day around Heathrow, we had no idea what to expect heading in and it honestly could have ended very differently.
Ken has been released on bail, and is on his way back to Bristol following a stint on the news.
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URGENT: Within the past hour, the Home Office has withdrawn their intention to release Kenneth from detention. At 2pm on 28th November he will be in a bail hearing, opposed by the Home Office, failing which his removal will continue as previously planned.
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It is with a heavy heart that Kenneth received this letter from the home office today and has been told he will not be allowed to stay home in the UK. The fight is not over and we need your support to keep Ken home with his friends and family.
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We’ve been keeping a secret.
Our documentary, Pride on the Pitch, will premiere on TNT Sports 1 tomorrow. This special follows the Bisons through the 2022/23 season and Union Cup, with accounts from our members on their experiences on inclusivity in Rugby. @IGRugby
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We have some news to report regarding our member Ken.
He has been released from the detention centre and the threat of imminant removal from the UK has been lifted.
Whilst this is good news, we have no confirmation that Ken will not be removed from the UK entirely.
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Monday saw the start of pride month, where we usually party and celebrate our freedom to be who we are and to remember those that came before us to fight for it.
Today people are fighting all over the world for equality and we stand with them.
#BlackLivesMattter
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We hope you’ve all been good this year as things are really hotting up this Christmas🎅😉 To celebrate our second appearance in The Naked Rugby Players Calendar; we are giving one of our calendars away to a very lucky follower!
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The Bisons make no secret of who we are, both on and off the pitch. As the South West’s first inclusive Rugby Club, we keep the spirit of inclusivity and equality alive everywhere we go, be that on the pitch, on the web or in our daily lives. #pride #PrideMonth
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Unfortunately due to limits, the response is too long for Twitter, however it is available on instagram.
instagram.com/tv/CgXDeq7D2hD…
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We have two birthdays and two Jo(h)ns but only one photo today! Happy birthday to @Juppers69 and @JDKnight1994 .
Our gift to the latter is an IOU for a picture ASAP.
Our gift to the former is the ability to share yet another picture of himself.
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With great relief we can confirm that Ken has successfully check in without detention today. Thank you to everyone who shared our message and turned up to Bridgwater.
The fight to #KeepKenHome is by no means over, so we can enjoy today’s victory and look toward the next step.
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So we’ve been keeping something quiet for a little while...some Bisons made their way to London today to be presented with an Attitude Pride Award for al the hard work on the #KeepKenHome campaign.
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Hi Kathy!
There are many trans men playing men’s rugby - without surveying ever player of mens rugby I couldn’t tel you an exact number.
I can, however, direct you to the Office for National Statistics if you want to commission some sort of survey.
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Hi Simon!
Sorry for the delay in response, but we might recommend that you learn how to use proper grammar and punctuation before you try to critique our semantics!
We’ll start you off - Pembrokeshire is capitalised.
Thanks.
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It’s a week until Union but the Bisons are already starting RUNAWAY to Ireland #onemoreweekofcorrspunsleft #roadtounion #rugby #inclusiverugby
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We’ll be bringing our custom @BudgySmuggler along, created especially for the Bingham Cup. Will you see them? That’s up to the players 😏
#BinghamCup2024 #BisonsatBingham #SpeedoSunday
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It seems that every day there is a renewed effort to erase and exclude Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse across sport, education and life.
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As teams return to the pitch there will be players no longer allowed to join them, just for being themselves.
RFU ban on Trans Women in our sport and requirement for Trans men to register and undergo risk assessments is unfair, unwarranted and wrong. 1/2
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We're completely overwhelmed with the support everyone has shown for Ken.
Some Bisons will be on BBC Radio Bristol at 07:50 tomorrow and BBC Somerset at 08:30 to talk about it (or anytime after on demand).
We've made some substantial headway on again today thanks to everyone.
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The Naked Rugby Calendar 2023 is finally here!
Would you like to see the Bisons get their kit off (along some other IGR friends) and support grassroots rugby at the same time? Click the link below to purchase a Calendar for £12.99 (£1.99 p&p) and a whole year of joy awaits you
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Union cup isn’t the only exciting thing happening this week for the Bisons, it’s time to reveal our new kit for the 23/24 season with our sponsors.
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A huge congratulations to Jonny and Dale for tying the big gay knot yesterday.
The humility was left in Bristol, we know how we look.
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The Progress Flag is more than just cloth and stripes, it is freedom for the LGBTQIA+ community. Freedom to live openly. Freedom to express yourself. Freedom from constraints on who you are.
#PrideMonth #pride
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We’re now (somehow) into September and our own @KyleHarc has finished his challenge of 64,000 Double Unders throughout August, at the expense of his shins.
For the non-skippers among us, this equates to roughly three hours every day, regardless of fatigue and/or hangover.
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A wholehearted THANK YOU to everyone who has reached out and helped to spread the news about Ken. We are still working furiously on the situation, so we shall keep you posted.
Meanwhile, the Bisons are still attending Touch Training as usual tonight. 7pm, Clifton RFC.
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Happy Trans Day of Visibility 🏳️⚧️
In a climate of increasing exclusion across sport, culture and society for Trans people it had never been more important to stand alongside and for the Trans community.
#transdayofvisiblity #rugbyforall
📸: @Scoundrelicious
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Happy Non-Binary People’s Day from the Bristol Bisons to all our Non-Binary Siblings and supporters 💛🤍💜🖤
If people have problems with Trans Women in rugby, wait until they find out Non-Binary players 😉
#NonBinaryPeoplesDay
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The Bisons are very concerned regarding reports that @worldrugby could prevent trans women from playing rugby.
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Unfortunately, the necessity still exists for #IDAHOTB in today’s world. The IGR community has always been an incredibly welcoming, supportive environment and an incredible wider community we’re increasingly grateful for when facing prejudice.
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Unfortunately, Ken’s story is yet another example of the Home Office ignoring the risks that LGBT people face in multiple countries around the world.
We are providing support for Ken at this challenging time, hoping he will not be removed from the UK to continue his life here.
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Bristol Bisons statement on the letter from The Home Office to our friend and Club member Ken Macharia:
Our club’s existence is to support LGBT+ people and their allies to be themselves and to play the sport they love. This is the reason Ken joined our club nearly 3 years ago.
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A cheeky little sneak peek at Pride on the Pitch, airing at 6pm & 10pm on @tntsports and @discoveryplus
A massive shout out to @BUZZ16 and everyone involved for their outstanding work 🙌🏻🙌🏻
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Inclusivity transcends gender.
Inclusivity transcends physicality.
Inclusivity transcends what you’ve done, who you’ve been or where you’re going.
The players make Rugby an inclusive sport, not the authority.
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Please share and help support Ken in his continued fight to stay here. We will not give up. We will not let him be persecuted for being himself and for what we represent.
#keepkenhome #inclusiverugby #BristolBisonsRFC
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Before the start of our match yesterday with @CardiffLions, we took a minute of silence to grieve and honour Brianna Ghey. Rest in peace Brianna, you had a community out there that loves you and we mourn that you didn’t get a chance to see more of it. 🏳️⚧️
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Deporting Ken from the UK will also mean that he is unable to see his mother who lives in Bristol.
Ken is an integral part of our rugby family. His commitment to the ethos of rugby and inclusive gay rugby is second to none. We are at risk of losing one of the herd.
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This Saturday saw the Bisons debuting our #laceupforall Trans pride laces on the pitch to protest the exclusionary RFU ban on all Trans women playing Rugby. Exclusion from sport is exclusion from friendship, community, health and happiness. 1/2
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We’re back for Monday fitness this evening, after a weekend of fittin’-niss Easter Egg in our mouths.
*ba-dum tss* 🥁
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Union Cup 2023, thats a wrap! We came home with 🥉 for the Beorma Cup after every Bison played their hearts out for three days of solid rugby!
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Honestly we took a few hours this Saturday evening to go out and enjoy life without social media and most of these replies are wild.
And proof of our point.
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I hope everyone who’s spent the past week vocally terrorising Trans Players because of their deep seated interest in Women’s Sports have taken the time to congratulate the Lionesses…
oh wait 👀
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We have turned the replies off on our tweets regarding the RFU vote.
Although we’re grateful for the supportive replies and encourage conversations, the sheer amount of toxicity, transphobia and general vitriol is not what we want to display to members of our community.
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The Crowdfund for Ken's legal fees has passed the halfway mark, and he is in hopes of being released from the detention centre this week on bail, so a hearty THANK YOU to everyone that has helped and spread the word so far, but we still have a way to go.
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Yes #TonguesOutTuesday is still a thing thank you for asking.
#rugby #inclusiverugby #training #bristolbisonsrfc
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Thank you to everyone still asking about Ken's wellbeing. He is still okay and here with us while legal proceedings tick over, checking in regularly as per his requirements. Taken this week.
#KeepKenHome #rugby #training #inclusiverugby #bristol #bristolbisonsrfc
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In the days running down to Union Cup, the Bisons are unveiling their new kit for the 19/20 season with our sponsors @EventExchange and @Queenshilling
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Not just an ordinary rugby match when find out @WillGreenwood and @RugbyBenCohen will play alongside you at @cliftonrugby Thank you @avivapremrugby , @stonewalluk and @this_is_synergy for making it happen! #bristolbisons #bristolbisonsrfc #bristol #RainbowLaces #inclusiverugby
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First session done ✅ Bisons back! ✅ Brilliant start to 2024, with an amazing turnout old and new 🦬
Next session Thursday 7-9pm Clifton RFC, come and join!
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The Bisons are taking to the cobbles with @BrigstoweInfo today to raise money for World AIDS Day, so anyone passing through feel free to say hi and/or drop some change.
#WorldAIDSDay
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LGBTQ+ welfare in the UK is on a steady, marked decline, falling down the european rankings year-on-year.
So this #PrideMonth we’re taking a moment to delve into the LGBTQ+ presence within Men’s Rugby in England.
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🦬❤️
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Members of the Bisons will be traveling to attend in hopes of deterring the decision once again, however, in the meantime, we are asking everyone to share this message in support to contest the decision with all their power. This is messing around with a person's life!
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Thank you to everyone who keeps asking about Ken’s wellbeing and his ongoing legal battle.
He is still at training every week and fighting to stay in the UK permanently, and will be talking on BBC Radio Bristol at 11:10 on Tuesday 12th February about it.
#KeepKenHome
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A Happy Birthday to our chairman Phil. I’m contractually obligated to use a nice photo for our Supreme, and i’m personally obligated to use an embarrassing one as well...enjoy!
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Union cup isn’t the only exciting thing happening this week for the Bisons, it’s time to reveal our new kit for the 23/24 season with our sponsors.
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Some of the Bisons were invited to @bbcbristol and BBC Somerset early this morning to talk about Ken. The interview is available on demand from the BBC Radio Bristol website with @theemmabritton this morning for anyone wanting to here what we had to say. #bigeese
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The suspension in this photo is killing me.
📸: @Dale_sheps
#rugby #inclusiverugby #bristol #bristolbisonsrfc
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Thank you to everyone who has already donated, our own @KyleHarc will be on @BBCBristol just after 08:30 tomorrow morning to tell Bristol (and whoever else@is picking up wavelengths) about his campaign for @Mermaids_Gender
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A massive thank you to @BristolBears for inviting us to take part in the #rainbowlaces campaign for @stonewalluk & the halftime interview for the @FalconsRugby match.
The supporters were keen to chat and not a single lace was left by kickoff!
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After a hard battle of grit, determination and picking up boobs that had become loose on the pitch, we can happy say that over £700 has been raised for @MindCharity as part of the @IGRugby Pride in Rugby weekend.
#bristolbisons #bristolbisonsrfc #rugby #inclusiverugby
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In 2019, there were approximately 38,000,000 people in the world diagnosed with HIV and/or AIDS; of which 1.8 million were children. In the UK alone, the National AIDS Trust states there to be 105,200 people living with the disease.
#WorldAIDSDay
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We've had a cold, busy day at Clifton RFC. You'll have to tune in to find out what we were up to.
Tune in to
- ITV Regional News (ITV1, 6pm, regional)
- BBC Key Points West (BBC1, 6pm, regional)
- Channel 4 News (Channel 4, 7pm, national)
- ITV News at 10 (ITV1, 10pm, national)
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As we work to make the pitch a safe space, it’s important to remember those who aren’t here to see it.
#transdayofremembrance
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On #TransDayofRememberence2022 we remember all those who’s lives have been cut short by prejudice, violence and discrimination against Transgender people.
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Hi everyone,
Ken's crowdfund to help pay for very high legal fees is now live.
All funds generated will be used to pay for solicitor fees to help keep Ken in the UK and to enable him to fight for full asylum here.
chuffed.org/project/fight-ke…
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We get new robes and suddenly we're a coven.
We've come to save the world from the clutches of nuclear warfare and toxic masculinity.
@Aariba_Alex
@raptorbaitjoe
@Juppers69
#rugby #pride #inclusiverugby #AHSApocalypse #bristol #bristolbisonsrfc
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2 days. 6 matches. 6 wins.
Thank you Perth Rams, Space Lions, @GothamRugby San Diego Armada, @KXSteelers for some top-tier rugby.
We’ll see how the knockout stages go.
#BinghamCup2024 #BisonsatBingham
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I was going to make a joke about #TonguesOutTuesday but Tour has messed with my sense of time and I realised it was Wednesday.
I’m not thinking of something else though I’m still tired.
#rugby #inclusiverugby #UnionCup2019 #bristolbisonsrfc
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I’d love to say “it takes a lot of money to look this cheap” but honestly we’re just cheap.
#dollypartonchallenge
#bristolbisons #bristolbisonsrfc
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Wishing everyone a happy, fun and safe New Years from The Bisons.
And here’s to another year of the camaraderie, hard work and general havoc we’re oh, so fond of
#NewYearSameUs
#bristolbisons #bristolbisonsrfc #happynewyear2020
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Ken Update!
We would like to Thank each and everyone of you for helping hit the Milestones needed to help Keep Ken Home.
Thanks to you we have hit over 100k signatures calling on the Home Secretary to grant him asylum.
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Keep an eye on our socials next week for updates on our summer plans, including opportunities to come along for a run around with the club 👀
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With the final matches this afternoon, we’re very happy to announce that the Bristol Bisons have finished our 2023/24 league in top position.
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