Members of the Peterborough Rowing Club are inviting you to "take one for the team" with their newest charity initiative. Engaging in a tradition made famous by the Warwick Rowers from the UK, The Gentlemen of the Otonabee have created a semi-nude calendar (and various prints) to tackle issues of homophobia and showcase the brotherhood that they share through their mutual love of the sport. This 14-month gold mine of athletic men make it all-too easy for you to help put a stop to homophobia. The tasteful, vintage-toned publication, speaks to the sense of tradition that the rowers all share.
Rowing, a sport that originated on the River Thames in London, England; is steeped in heritage and has a long-standing reputation of gentlemanly behaviour, both on and off the water.
The team went for a similar approach with the calendar, using quotes focused on equality and respect for their fellow men. The calendar, aptly named "Gentlemen of the Otonabee" – for the 6km stretch of the river that runs by the rowing club in Peterborough, Ontario – features 12 sculpted, dedicated athletes.
"It's about building an ally base," says Evan Schuett, a member of the rowing team. "Sport should have no sexual orientation – and in a sport where tight-fitting unisuits already leave little to the imagination, we thought this was an issue that we could address publicly. For us, your crew is like your family, and you need to be able to trust that your family will back you up."
$5 from the sale of each calendar will be donated to Egale Canada, an organization that raises awareness about LGBTQ issues in sport, specifically focused on inclusive space and ally education.
Since launching, the Gentlemen of the Otonabee have been featured on CBC Ontario Morning, Local Entertainment website Ptbo_Canada, The Peterborough Examiner, Peterborough This Week, The Wolf 101.5FM, and MyKawartha.com.
The Calendars will be for Sale at Trent University Homecoming, at the Peterborough Rowing Club on October 3rd.
The calendars sell for $20 online, and can be purchased Here.
So what are you waiting for? Take one for the team.
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