Stand Up Events was founded by Angie Greene in response to the inequality that exists in Australian sport.
Exposed to elite sporting culture from birth, Angie’s grandfather, Frank Sedgman was a Grand Slam tennis champion, her father Russell Greene is a Hawthorn Football Club Hall of Fame member, and her brother, Steven, played for the Hawthorn Football Club for 5 years.
Angie’s second brother, Brent was equally as talented in sports but as a gay man felt out of place in team sporting cultures. The experience and the discrimination Brent experienced drove Angie to create Stand Up Events.
In addition to challenging sexual and gender discrimination in Australian sport, Angie hopes Stand Up will hasten change in any environment where people feel marginalised.
Hey Angie, thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for our Goddess Spotlight.
As you know I am a huge fan of Stand Up Events and everything you do for equality. Let's start off with some light questions...
Favorite movie?
Literally can not decide. I love everything from Horrors and psychological thrillers - to Rom Coms! As long as there is popcorn, I’m good!
Red wine or white?
RED.
Morning or night person?
Night! However, I AM trying to be more of a morning person, purely based on being more productive thought-out the day.
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would it be?
New Orleans. I have been there once and it is the one place that I am absolutely desperate to go back to. It is nothing short of magic.
Where and how do you work best?
I work best is being surrounded by honest, creative and authentic people, who are genuinely interested in the end goal. It does not matter where it is. As long as I am around people who are trust-worthy, passionate and supportive, this is where I am the most productive.
Whats the best piece of advice you have received?
Someone once told me that people will constantly try and bring me down but it is only up to me if I let them. This has helped me in so many situations, as it reminds me that I am in control of whether I let criticism negativity affect me. It is not always easy to live by, but I do my best.
Favorite quote
I have a few!!
“No one knows what they’re doing either” - Ricky Gervais
"We must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy." — Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
“Not all those who wander are lost” - Lord of the Rings.
Who are your biggest Influencers? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you are doing now?
My biggest influencers are people who I call “reverse role models”. These people (who will of course remain nameless) have gotten to high places and have done so in not the most authentic or ethical way. I will never, ever want to work that way. I don’t believe that by gaining success, you have to step on other people or have hidden agendas. I have seen people work this way and they inspire me to do the complete opposite.
Who inspired me to do what I do is my family, and society in general. I grew up with family and friends around me who have been treated differently simply for being who they are. I have never understood a lot of humanity, nor will I ever. I would like to play some small part in making a difference and to show people that regardless of our sexuality and/or gender, that we are all PEOPLE. People who deserve the same respect, rights, equality and inclusion as everyone else. And not to just be “accepted” but to all be embraced for exactly who we are.
In terms of who I most admire - I just can’t go past Gaga and Queen B.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
One of my biggest personal challenges (and one that I was not expecting) has actually been my sexuality. I came into what I do because I believe in it and I believe in people. From the very start, I have had people questioning Why?
Why am I doing this? Why is a straight person running a Charity about fighting homophobia? What is my agenda? People told me that I had no right to do what I am doing and that I did not belong in this “space”. This is a constant thing I have been confronted with.
My response has always been the same. I have never seen myself as a straight person fighting for non-hetero and gender diverse rights. I see myself as a human being who wants to see equality for all people.
There are challenges every single day. I don’t think anyone would come into any areas of social change being ignorant to that fact. At times it can get really hard but I am very quick to remind myself of WHY I am doing this and what the bigger picture is. When I do that, my personal challenges go out the window, as it was and always has been about the bigger picture and the end goal.
What is your best advice for handling criticism?
I can only be in control of what I am in control of. There will always be criticism but as long as I can look at myself and know that I am doing the very best that I can, that I am standing up for what I believe in and I am being authentic and genuine about it, I think that is all that matters.
Another piece of advice that I got when I started Stand Up Events was ‘You can’t win everyone’.
Whats next for Stand Up Events?
We have partnered with Monash University to create world-first research and to create customised preventative programs to implement into Junior Sporting Codes - in the hope of eradicating homophobic language and behaviour, so everyone feels safe and included in sport.
If a young girl or boy walked up to you asking for your advice on life, what would it be?
Always, always, always back yourself.
Always surround yourself with people that you love, trust and who bring out the best in you.
For us, lipstick is something which gives us that extra boost of confidence, what gives you confidence to take on each and every day?
My family, my boyfriend and my friends. I have a group of people in my life that I would do anything for, and they would do anything for me. Knowing that I have their unconditional love and support means the world to me.
To find out more about Angie and Stand Up Events click here
