FANZINE ISSUE: 3 THE FOOTBALL V HOMOPHOBIA FANZINE INSIDE: NOTES FROM THE EDITOR REVIEW OF #FVH2014 HATE ON THE TERRACES FANS’ GROUPS: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FANS’ OPINION: CLUBS NEED TO PLAY THEIR PART SUSSEX COUNTY FA FVH IN EUROPE JOURNALISTS’ SEMINAR @FvHtweets Thank you to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for funding the fanzine. WELCOME TO STAND OUT! NOTES FROM THE EDITOR What a fabulous February! Our campaign month was The Swedish media have reported the violent assault the most successful in our history, with unprecedented as an anti-Jewish hate crime rather than a homophobic levels of support throughout the game, and this has attack, but the fact remains that a leading anti- provided a fantastic boost for everyone who wants homophobia campaigner has suffered at the hands of to see homophobia, and all other forms of prejudice, those in society who are violently opposed to anyone eradicated from football. different to them. Everyone at FvH wishes Showan the very best in his battle against the injuries that he Over half of the 92 professional league clubs supported suffered, and hope that he makes a full and speedy the campaign, including 15 of the 20 Premier League recovery. teams, alongside a strong number of County FAs, non-league and women’s clubs. In this issue, we have I’m grateful to Ian Cusack and Pete Marshall (Issue 2) highlighted some of those who got involved, but FvH and Joe Taylor (page 13) for submitting their articles for would like to thank everyone who participated and publication this year. I would like this to be a fanzine for made the month such a success. all, and that means more contributions from those of you who watch football and read Stand Out! Please send February also saw a dramatic increase in the number of any articles, pieces of creative writing, photos and other LGBT supporters’ groups established, including the very submissions to [email protected] first official group formed by a club, Tottenham Hotspur FC. Alongside the Gay Football Finally, April 2014 sees the 25th anniversary of Supporters’ Network (GFSN), FvH is fully the Hillsborough disaster, and the start of committed to increasing the number of the fresh inquests into the deaths of the these groups that will represent LGBT 96 Liverpool fans so tragically lost on that fans, as well as providing a voice for fateful afternoon in Sheffield. As someone those who believe football should be who witnessed the terrible events unfold, inclusive and open to all, regardless of from the Leppings Lane stand above the gender and sexuality. terrace that claimed all those souls, my thoughts are with the families at this time, Unfortunately, recently we have also seen the and in the months ahead. violent side of the beautiful game rear its ugly head. Showan Shattak, the prominent Swedish campaigner The whole FvH team wishes you well and hopes that against homophobia in football and a member of the your long campaign for justice, and the new inquests, Malmö Ultras, was brutally attacked on March 8th and will deliver the sound verdict that you deserve. he is still fighting for his life a month later after suffering multiple stab wounds. Phil Moss, editor (pictured above right with Paul Lorraine) Please note that the opinions expressed by contributors in this fanzine do not necessarily represent the opinions of the FvH 1 2 campaign or its members. We aim to provide a platform for useful engagement with fans’ issues and experiences. REVIEW OF #FvH2014 world, including her working environment. However, inspired by the positive response to Tom Daley’s coming out YouTube video, she decided that it was The campaign month began, as reported in the last In many ways, the highlight of the campaign month was “time for me to stand up and tell my story.” Stand Out!, at Crystal Palace FC’s Selhurst Park when the the decision of England Women’s captain Casey Stoney Crystal Palace FC Foundation hosted the official launch to come out on February 10th. In an interview with BBC that was attended by the leading organisations in the Sport, which was widely reported by the UK’s leading “I am pleased that the majority game – the FA, the Football League and the PFA. newspapers, Casey explained why she had decided to of teams in the top tier of English come out: “Now is the time because I’m in a loving #FvH2014 turned into the strongest month in the relationship where I feel strong, I feel safe and I don’t football and the FA have backed the campaign’s history, with over half of the 92 professional care what people think any more.” Football vs Homophobia campaign. clubs in England and Wales actively supporting Football Football is our national sport and we v Homophobia. It was especially pleasing to see 15 “We know that our clubs are Premier League clubs support the campaign, alongside must do all we can to tackle any sort 32 clubs from the Football League and 21 non-league committed to equality in the game, of discrimination in the game. I hope and women’s teams. The number of clubs increases each and are extremely pleased to see that the campaign continues to go from year, and it is hoped that in 2015 over 100 clubs will our endorsement of the Football v participate. strength to strength.” Homophobia campaign is helping - Helen Grant MP, Minister for Sport, All those who participated in #FvH2014 are listed on clubs to find simple ways of taking Tourism and Equalities page 8, and two clubs – Manchester City and Millwall action to encourage diversity – have been highlighted in this issue for their strong As a result of Stoney’s decision to come out, soon after support for FvH that extends from the boardroom throughout the sport.” Thomas Hitzlsperger did the same, the FvH campaign through the dressing room to the stands. Many thanks and the wider issue enjoyed extensive media coverage - Cathy Long, FA Premier League Stoney said that “it’s about making sure we live in a to those other clubs who designated home games as throughout February, with interviews on the BBC and world where it’s [being gay] accepted” and added: their FvH match, including Bradford City, Brentford, Sky News alongside many positive and encouraging “I feel it’s really important for me to speak out as a Chesterfield, Derby County, Exeter City, Gillingham, While Stoney’s sexuality was an open secret within articles. FvH also organised a successful media seminar gay player because there are so many young people Heaton Stannington, Hereford United, Huddersfield the game – “I’ve never hidden it within football circles that was hosted by the BBC at Broadcasting House struggling with being gay. You hear about people Town, Oldham Athletic, Southend United, and York because it is accepted” – she wasn’t out to the wider (details on page 19), and LA Galaxy’s Robbie Rogers taking their own lives because they’re homosexual City; hopefully many more will do likewise next year. was the cover star of attitude magazine where he and that should never happen. They should never discussed the rollercoaster that has been his life since feel those pressures. How can I expect other people he came out twelve months ago. to come out and speak about themselves if I’m not “We’re delighted to see so many willing to do that myself?” clubs – across the professional and grassroots games – getting involved in Football v Homophobia’s 2014 “The PFA fully supports the Football month of action and taking a stand v Homophobia campaign and we against homophobia, biphobia have been delighted to see so many and transphobia. The FA believes players backing the campaign and that everyone, whatever their supporting LGBT inclusion during background, should be able to enjoy the February month of action.” participating in football free from - Simone Pound, Head of Equalities, fear of discrimination and abuse. Professional Footballers Association Congratulations to FvH for their hard work on the 2014 campaign.” - Alex Horne, FA General Secretary 3 4 MANCHESTER CITY FC MILLWALL FC “People are more comfortable talking about it and coming out, and it’s No one likes Millwall, apparently, and it appears that important that Millwall play their “We’re proud to be supporting the they don’t care, but they do care when it comes to part, which they are.” Football v Homophobia campaign. strongly supporting Football v Homophobia. Last year, - Danny Shittu, Millwall We hope that it sends out a when they played Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex message that there is no place for Stadium, the Lions signed the Government’s ‘Charter for Action against Homophobia and Transphobia discrimination in football, nor in any in Sport’ alongside the home team, and this season Millwall were the first and, to our knowledge, the only sport.” Millwall designated their home game against Brighton club to record an official video in support of FvH that on March 1st as their FvH match. featured first team players Danny Shittu and Shane - Vincent Kompany, Manchester City Lowry, and Millwall Lionesses’ Emma Whitter. Emma’s contribution was particularly moving as she is openly gay and she talked about her experience when she The “Noisy Neighbours” were the highest placed club came out, and her concern that she would lose her in England & Wales to prominently support this year’s mother and the rest of her family when she told them. FvH campaign. The 2012 English Champions wore the Since the release of the video, Emma has received many FvH t-shirts during the warm-up prior to taking on positive comments and her message has provided a Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium on February 22nd, role model for players and supporters alike.