“I’m just being myself”: Sarah Bern on Pride, rugby and redefining representation

PWR ends its Pride Month celebrations by speaking to Bristol Bears prop, Sarah Bern. Alex Reed caught up with the Red Rose...

Sarah Bern was "shocked" to be named 16th on the Independent's Pride List earlier this month, ahead of the likes of Sir Elton John and Beth Mead.

Bern, however, is well deserving of the recognition. She is a brilliant example of how prominent LGBTQ+ athletes can use their platform for good.

The Bristol prop has consistently championed body positivity and embracing one's skin despite the prevalence of online hate aimed at LGBTQ+ athletes.

As humble as ever, Bern said: "I was a little bit blown away, but I also found it super cool, and I just thought 'Well I'm just being myself.'

"I was trying to allow people to see what it's like to be an athlete, to be a bigger female and hopefully just help people who are going through a bit of a tough time.

"To be recognised in that list with some of those great people, it really took me aback. It's cool, and I'm incredibly, incredibly proud of it, and hopefully we can just continue to inspire generations and be a positive example for people."

Growing up, the Red Roses prop recognised that women's rugby was a safe space for women in the LGBTQ+ community, easing her experience of coming out to family and friends.

Bern said: "Rugby is incredibly inclusive. So, for me, it was never a worry about coming out in a rugby setting. In women's rugby, you're exposed to a diverse range of backgrounds, people, ethnicities, and cultures, and we're fortunate to have this variation within our team.

"Growing up, there were a lot of gay people in the older age groups, so I didn't even know that I was different in a way because everyone was accepting of everyone.

"I was a little bit more nervous to probably tell my parents, because I think that's always quite daunting. But I told my parents, and they didn't care at all. There was no difference. They love me just as I am."

Bern is in a relationship with fellow Red Roses prop and former Bristol teammate Mackenzie Carson.

Relationships between teammates in women's rugby are common and can help them cope with the intensity of the international game.

Bern said: "It's a unique experience to be able to play with your partner at England, and it's great because we have a very similar schedule.

"We both know the gruelling stuff that we get put through. We both know the pressures of dealing with high performance and the sacrifices that we make. But we know we're always doing it, and you have someone there to encourage you when you're down.”

Since Carson moved away from Bristol, first to Saracens and then to her current club, Gloucester-Hartpury, Bern has had to pack down against her partner in the scrum.

But the couple seem to cope with all the pushing and shoving well.

"I think it's probably the more daunting aspect, playing against each other, especially as a loose head and a tight head," Bern said. "You really are head-to-head, but we always say, like you cross the line, and it's your team first. You want to play well. You want to do well for your team, and afterwards, we can pat each other on the back and say, well done.

“It makes it more enjoyable in the sense that you have someone who knows exactly what you're going through, but you can celebrate when they've won, and you can feel like I'm a part of two teams in a way."