ISSUE: 4

THE FOOTBALL V HOMOPHOBIA FANZINE

INSIDE:

WONDERKID FARE - FOOTBALL PEOPLE FANS FOR DIVERSITY NON-LEAGUE LGBT FANS GRAB A GRANT UEFA DIVERSITY CONFERENCE

@FvHtweets

Thank you to the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for funding the fanzine. EDITORIAL Recently a 67-year old man, someone who holds a senior being football, even though you’d said that they’re not. position in a major London-based institution, travelled to the University of Cambridge and delivered a speech Amazingly, it got worse… “You really are talking to to the Cambridge Union. That man was a certain Mr Roy someone who’s quite naïve on the subject and who has #PRIDEINFOOTBALL Hodgson and his current job is manager of the England not got strong opinions on it.” Men’s Senior Team. “This will be a fantastic opportunity to No one is expecting the England manager to know the Sunday 16 November 2014, 1-4pm Hodgson had accepted an invitation to talk about his name of every LGBT club in London, but as a senior figure Grange St Paul’s Hotel, London bring together members of LGBT fans’ football career to date, one that began at Ebbsfleet United in the world’s most popular sport, you would hope that he groups and individuals interested in all when it went by the name of Gravesend & Northfleet. would recognise that LGBT people exist within the game, Football v Homophobia, Kick It Out, the Football of our work in this area, and explore how Prior to the speech, he granted student journalists the that there are issues that need confronting, and that he Supporters’ Federation (FSF), the Gay Football we can all make a difference collectively. opportunity to interview him, and here’s what he said… might have a view. Supporters’ Network (GFSN) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual There’s a great unity between these A journalist from The Tab student newspaper asked the Hodgson should and Transgender (LGBT) fans are hosting their first joint groups which transcends football and I England manager whether football could and should do certainly be aware of event, entitled #Prideinfootball, at the Grange St Paul’s think the sport as a whole can take pride more to help LGBT players. Mr. Hodgson looked even gay footballers past and Hotel in central London on Sunday 16 November. in that.” more perplexed than usual and asked for clarification of present, such as Robbie the acronym. Okay, fair enough, there are many people Rogers and Thomas #Prideinfootball will give fans a chance to meet face- Lou Englefield, from FvH, said: who don’t know what LGBT stands for. However, when it Hitzlsperger and their to-face to celebrate and discuss the rise of LGBT fans’ was explained to him, he replied: “It’s not my world.” comments about being groups over recent years, and to share what they have gay and coming out, and achieved so far whilst focusing on how they build on “We’re delighted to be involved in this It’s not my world? It’s not my world! Lesbian, gay, bisexual he should definitely have this success. event and to have the chance to hear and transgender people are not part of your world. The a view about a major from LGBT fans about their experience England manager doesn’t believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual issue of discrimination #Prideinfootball will run from 1pm until 4pm, with an of the professional game. Listening to and transgender people are part of his world. Oh really… that exists in his sport. open invitation to all LGBT fans’ groups and LGBT fans those who are often at the sharp end of so which world is it that you live in, exactly? But no, Hodgson is “quite naïve” and doesn’t have any to attend and take part. Refreshments will be provided “strong opinions.” homophobia and transphobia in football Clearly it’s not the same world, never mind the same and the day will be relaxed and informal with fun can only help the focus and impact of sessions, workshops and networking, bringing together organisation, that Chris Gibbons (the FA’s Inclusion To complete his remarks on the subject, he simply said “I our campaign.” a wide range of views, opinions and experiences with Education Advisor, who is openly gay) lives and works in. don’t have an answer for you.” So that’s all fine then. There The FA, as an organisation, even has an LGBT Action Plan may be LGBT people in football, but Hodgson doesn’t one thing in common – a shared love of football. and a designated page on its website for ‘LGBT football’ really know any of them and they’re definitely not in his #Prideinfootball aims to engage with LGBT fans who - http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/ world, and he doesn’t know whether football could and LGBT fans groups Gay Gooners (Arsenal), Canal Street are not part of a group, or geographically isolated, and equality/lgbt-football - and yet here is Hodgson, one should do more to help LGBT players. Blues (Manchester City), Proud Canaries (Norwich provide support, help and encouragement to those who of the most senior football individuals within the same City) and Proud Lilywhites (Tottenham Hotspur) have are thinking about what they can do to play their part in organisation, saying that LGBT people are not part of his This probably shouldn’t be such a surprise, to find the all been involved in the planning of the event and will making the beautiful game truly inclusive. world. England manager ‘mis-speaking’ to journalists. It is, after be there on the day. They will run workshops on the all, the same man who announced Wayne Rooney’s different ways to set up fans’ groups, how to report Hodgson wasn’t finished, because he then said: “I haven’t appointment as captain by telling the press that “Everyone Leviathen Hendricks from GFSN said: LGBT abuse and discrimination, and ways to build come across any players who’ve found themselves in that knows Wayne is not the sort of person, with his Liverpool support for diversity and inclusion within the wider position. I haven’t come across any players who would accent, who is going to be able to stand up in front of a football fan base. “This conference will mark the first even arouse my suspicion that they would like to come lecture room of people.” co-ordinated gathering of LGBT fans out but are fearful of doing so.” Okay, so you’ve never The day will end with a panel discussion to seek groups, bringing together established met a gay footballer. Or rather, you’ve never met an When good people employed by the same organisation views about the best the ways LGBT fans’ groups can groups with newly-formed supporters’ obviously gay footballer. But in actual fact, you have met that pays his wages are joining FvH, Kick It Out, Stonewall gay footballers - people in “that position” - but you didn’t and others to fight homophobia in football, it is simply communicate and support each other, and to consider organisations. We’re excited about the know, or notice. not good enough for the England manager to say it’s not the next steps and future plans. potential this will have for augmenting his world, and that he doesn’t have any strong opinions. our work linking up clubs with their Moving on, Hodgson threw himself deeper into the Anwar Uddin, who holds a dual role with the FSF and LGBT supporters.” massive chasm that he’d just opened up by adding: “It Surely it’s time the FA educated its senior leaders to be Kick It Out as Diversity and Campaigns Manager of the would be unrealistic, I guess, in football to not accept that competent to address basic questions such as increasing ‘Fans for Diversity’ initiative, said: there are a number of people who are, err, gay - because participation by LGBT people in the game. it covers every other walk of life.” Ah, so that’s okay then. Gay people may indeed be part of your world, your world If you wish to attend this event, please reserve your place at: Phil Moss www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prideinfootball-tickets-13852504213 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. WONDERKID Rhys Chapman is a talented young man on a mission. produce a film that is as realistic as possible. He is the co-writer and director of Wonderkid, and he needs funding in order to complete this project. He “I feel incredibly lucky to be in love, and to be You haven’t seen it? Why? Because it hasn’t been made has the backing of the Kevin Spacey Foundation UK, restricted in that or denied it completely would LGBT charity Galop, the Gay Gooners and Soho FC, be devastating. I think tackling homophobia by yet. The story has been crafted, the storyboard has Imagine stepping out in front of a and through Kickstarter has raised a quarter of the communicating what’s it like to love another human been completed and the screenplay has been finished. packed stadium. But Wonderkid is still a film in production, a film in funds required to take Wonderkid from the concept being is important because you know that it is stage to the screen. something that we can all relate to.” waiting, but it is a story that needs to be told and a 90,000 people chanting your name. film that needs to be completed. What if they knew your secret? And I’ll let Rhys take up the story himself... Now it’s up to us to enable Wonderkid to be made. Sir Ian McKellan is a major supporter of Wonderkid, these chants were meant to intimidate Put simply, Rhys and his team need cash, and fast. So and he perfectly encapsulates the film… you? “Homophobia in football is a subject that I believe has far their fundraising campaign has secured pledges so far lacked widespread attention. Terence [Corless] of almost £6500, but £25000 is required to make the Because you were gay. and I wrote the screenplay for Wonderkid last year film. But why should you pledge to fund this short as we felt the need to show the detrimental affects film about homophobia in football? Because it strikes that homophobia may have on a young person. Until at the heart of everything that every human being Out of the 5,000 male professional recently, discrimination towards gay footballers had holds most dear – to be respected, to be accepted, to footballers in this country, not one is gone largely unnoticed. I always remembered Justin be able to love, and to be loved. openly gay. Fashanu’s tragic story – it’s shocking to think that someone can be so stigmatized and shunned just To support Wonderkid, please go to the film’s Since Justin Fashanu’s tragic story, because of his or her sexuality. Kickstarter page - https://www.kickstarter.com/ those few that have decided to come projects/rhyschapman/wonderkid-tackling- out have waited until long after their “Wonderkid describes the story of a young footballer homophobia-in-football - and pledge to support this playing careers were over. who’s just transferred to a much bigger club from his important piece of cinema. Oh, and the deadline is native hometown. Although his best friend and agent November 17, so get pledging! has joined him on the move, the pressure to succeed Wonderkid is a short film that aims to and to be accepted forces him to question his identity. tackle homophobia in football head on. For more information about Wonderkid, His friend is aware of his sexuality, but is unaccepting, and to see an example of Rhys’ cinematic The story follows an un-named football and the story is formed around the strain that this prodigy as he searches for acceptance puts on their friendship. talent as a director, please visit in the hyper-masculine environment. www.wonderkidfilm.co.uk and on twitter “Terence and I have taken a lot of steps to ensure you can follow the film @WONDERKIDfilm At the heart of this project is the desire that Wonderkid helps those affected most. When and Rhys himself @Rhyschapman to question what is and what is not we wrote the script, we sent it out to a lot of the gay community to get their feedback, and now we’re acceptable behaviour towards fellow Phil Moss working closely with LGBT charity Galop to ensure we human beings.

This is an issue that should be talked about more.

With your help, we can make Wonderkid, and change people’s outlook on this subject. For ever.

3 4 FOOTBALL PEOPLE among the various strands of the equality movement and the wider sports family to think about how and how forces can be channelled in a concerted to create better conditions to welcome those effort to tackle issues such as homophobia, the under- communities and facilitate their integration. Football People action representation of women and ethnic minorities in the higher echelons of the football world. weeks combine forces to Become visible! tackle homophobia and Empowering marginalised gender discrimination Increasing the visibility of LGBT people in football groups! and celebrating diversity is one central aim of local activities. Queer Football Fanclubs (QFF), an Claudia Krobitzsch is the London-based Programmes Apart from celebrating diversity, the Football People association of over 30 LGBTI fan clubs organised joint Co-ordinator at FARE, and here she provides a weeks also give a voice to those who are often displays of banners reading “Football has no gender” in summary of last month’s Football People action weeks. unheard and marginalised in society. Many groups and over ten German Bundesliga clubs. organisations use the inclusive power of football to The Football People action weeks bring together support disenfranchised communities and put them football fans, community groups, human rights into focus as part of their Football People activities. activists and top-flight football to take a firm stand against all forms of discrimination, and organise GEM, the Gender Equality Movement in Kosovo, activities to celebrate diversity in football. The Football Team up! drew attention to the multiple discriminations of People weeks are held every year in October and are transsexual Roma people in the country by organising the biggest intervention of its kind; events and football The inclusive idea of celebrating the contributions we a panel discussion and offering football activities. A related activities take place across Europe and in 2014 all make to football regardless of our background is the representative said: “This is the best way to energise extended to countries as far afield as Mexico and backbone of the Football People weeks and provides people. Playing football gives them the chance to feel Vietnam. the basis for building partnerships and alliances with other activists. good and free.” The fight against homo-, trans- and bi-phobia and On four consecutive Saturdays, Labris, a human rights discrimination on grounds of gender or gender In Bulgaria, the Bilitis Resource Centre Foundation organisation for lesbians in Serbia visited four different identity is one of the focal points of the period. As in organised a film and sports festival on LGBTI rights cities around Serbia to kick-off a football match in open previous years, in 2014 a host of community groups, and promoted social inclusion of Roma people in the spaces of the towns for everyone to participate. The LGBT football fan groups, gay rights activists and country. Films such as “Foot for love” and “Football events sought to fight homophobia through sport and ‘straight allies’ have used the Football People weeks as under Cover” addressed LGBT and women’s rights. increase the number of women who play football. a platform to speak up for LGBTI rights and challenge “Team of Justice”, a documentary, focused on a Roma existing stereotypes in the game. team in Romania. The screenings stimulated vivid discussions among the local and international guests. BSC Young Boys Bern marked the occasion by replacing the corner flags of the pitch with rainbow flags (front Besides activities organised at grassroots level, cover image). The club spokesman said: “YB is an numerous top clubs, national FAs, professional Workshops on self-defence, first aid and racism/sexism inclusive club we welcome everyone. We are proud leagues and high-profile players got behind this year’s and the opening of the Bulgarian edition of “Sports The French all-females group Les Dégommeuses to be forerunners in the fight against homophobia in campaign. against the rules”, an exhibition presenting the fights and successes of LGBT athletes, topped off the three- arranged for a solidarity match with a team of LGBT Switzerland.” refugees to raise awareness about the situation of Thomas Hitzlsperger (pictured top right), the ex- day festival that brought together people from all walks LGBT refugees in France who all come from countries German international, who earlier this year came out of life. To find out more about the Fare network and where homosexuality is criminalised and often harshly as gay, said: “Everyone must have the possibility to play the Football People week visit farenet.org penalised. Maguy Nestoret, a former French track and and watch football without fear of being discriminated. In England, the Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham Hotspur’s You can also follow FARE on Twitter: @farenet field athlete, who is in charge of the French Ministry of There is no place for racism, homophobia or sexism LGBT fan group, invited fans of the Premier League club Sports’ anti-homophobia programme, kicked off the and Facebook: Farenetwork and get in touch in the game. To make a positive change, I support the to contribute to a Q&A panel discussion that was billed game. The group called on football decision makers with them via email: [email protected] Football People weeks and hope other players and “Challenging Discrimination: Promoting Inclusivity”. clubs will follow.” The event sought to highlight the unifying elements

5 6 DIVERSITY - BECAUSE FOOTBALL IS FOR EVERYONE Wingate & Finchley FC and Lewes FC’s mental and I am excited to be working closely with FvH and physical disability supporters’ teams came together members of the LGBT supporters groups on our Anwar Uddin is a retired professional footballer who For me, one of the great things about football is that it at the Dripping Pan and played on the pitch prior upcoming event #Prideinfootball which takes place is now the Diversity and Campaigns Manager at brings people together, thousands of people embracing to their first team fixture. The day raised awareness on the November 16 at the Grange Hotel, St Paul’s in the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF). He was a the game and the team they love everywhere. We of the issues some supporters face in relation to London. member of the West Ham United side that won the FA follow football in a country where everyone is different physical and mental wellbeing. Youth Cup in 1999 and went on to play for a number and we want to ensure that there are no barriers to of clubs including Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol Rovers, anyone supporting their team. Fans are the heart and Dagenham & Redbridge, Hereford United, Barnet and soul of our game and the biggest thing I miss about Eastbourne Borough. During his time at Victoria Road, playing is the atmosphere that we as supporters bring Anwar became the first British Asian to captain a team to the stadium on a match-day. in the top four divisions of English football. As Diversity and Campaigns Manager, I work on all Here, Anwar provides an overview of the FSF’s ‘Fans for forms of diversity from a supporters’ perspective. Diversity’ campaign... Fans For Diversity is about bringing together fans to highlight diversity and to create an environment where FSF is committed to equality in football and we fans feel safe and comfortable in supporting their team. believe the world’s greatest game should be open to all, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, sex or any It’s vital everybody across football is aware of all the other identifying feature. Our individual members and different types of discrimination and the effects they affiliated groups support a proactive stance on these can have. We work closely with all fans and relevant issues, ensuring the FSF is both accessible to all groups organisations to help challenge these issues as we aim and representative of football’s wide fan base. to make football as inclusive as possible.

This year FSF have come together with Kick It Out A key aspect of our Fans For Diversity campaign is and jointly launched the ‘Fans for Diversity’ campaign, to empower fans and offer them the opportunity to supported by the Premier League’s fans fund, to help engage in pro-diversity events and activities. Our fans target a number of fan initiatives to promote diversity initiative fund has already enabled some amazing We have also seen Arsenal supporters take part in a #Prideinfootball gives fans a chance to meet face-to- and inclusion across the professional and non-league events and activities to take place across the country Headscarves to Football Scarves initiative which saw face to celebrate and discuss the rise of LGBT fans’ game. where supporters groups and individual fans have done 22 South Asian girls who support Arsenal go along groups over recent years, and to share achievements some fantastic things, including: to (for many) their first game with existing season while looking ahead to how to build on that success. I was appointed as the FSF’s Diversity and Campaigns ticket holders. Manager in March 2014, and I will be leading on the It’s important that we act as a support mechanism delivery of the ‘Fans For Diversity’ campaign. This will for all supporters in any way that they feel it is see me engaging with football supporters and those needed and have strong relationships with key that have a fond interest in game in the UK across all organisations to continue to raise awareness and levels. tackle discrimination in all forms.

I’d love to hear from any fans who are interested in getting involved in our diversity campaign, so please visit our website and email me [email protected]

7 8 NON-LEAGUE LGBT FANS altogether, but I found myself only going to the And that’s my story of how I became a fan, then big games such as play off finals at Wembley or a distant supporter and now an avid supporter big FA Cup ties, and it was always as a neutral. home and away, and a club volunteer. And then, With the existing and proposed LGBT fans’ groups all this at the time – I was less than a day old! Something was very much missing, that strong having been very impressed by the events and representing supporters in the top two divisions of It was not until I was aged ten that I discovered that emotional attachment that supporting a team campaigns being organised by other clubs to raise English football, Stand Out! turns its attention to the actually had a football team. I was too busy “till I die” gives you. So, as the years passed by, I awareness and address diversity, I approached large but oft forgotten mass of non-league football fans. playing rugby, a game I eventually grew to hate, mainly found myself increasingly searching the results the Angels at the beginning of this season about Sometimes self-styled as ‘proper football’, the non- because I was forced to play it. In the autumn of 1972 at 5pm on a Saturday afternoon to see how holding a “Football is for Everyone” day to league game is more popular than ever, boosted by the the talk in the classroom suddenly changed from being Tonbridge Angels had done that day. coincide, as close as possible, to the anniversary 7000 Bristol Rovers fans this season, but there seems about rugby or the latest episode of Doctor Who on of Justin Fashanu’s birth date in February 2015. I little in the way of LGBT activity. the telly, and focused on just one thing - the upcoming By April 2011 it was becoming evident the team was thrilled when I received the response “Great FA Cup First Round tie at the that would were going to be in the Ryman Premier Play-Offs, Idea! Let’s do it!” Buoyed by this positive response, Colin Hill has decided to change that and make a see Tonbridge take on Charlton Athletic. and what had started as only an slight itch had I approached the FSF and FvH for guidance and difference for non-league LGBT fans. Here’s his story, become something that now desperately needed plans for the day are now well advanced. and how you can get involved. 7,770 people from the town crowded into the ground scratching. So, on the morning of Saturday 4 that afternoon to watch the Angels thrashed 5-0, May 2011, as the radio alarm clock sprung to life, Non-League LGBT Fans’ The Angels but every single one of them enjoyed the game. The I turned to my partner and said: “We are going Group only problem was that I wasn’t one of them as I had to watch a game of football today” to which he If you speak to the rest of my family I should be an been told point blank by my parents that under no replied “Are we? Oh OK, but who?” The process of helping organising this event also Arsenal supporter as that is the family’s traditional circumstances would I be going to the match. So I got me thinking whether there is anything else team as we’re descended from Londoners, but I was sulked. I half expected him to say “No way!” when I that needs doing that has not been done, or not born in London. I was born in the market town of answered “Tonbridge Angels, they’re in the Play- even thought about, and I began to wonder if a Aged ten, I learnt a very valuable life lesson - Off Final against Lowestoft Town and I have to be non-league LGBT fans’ group could or should be “Sometimes it’s better not to ask, sometimes it’s better there”, which would’ve meant me going alone, but formed. to just do” - and with this knowledge, a couple of years a few hours later we were both getting in the car later I was taking myself to games all over the country, to make the 45 mile trip to to I actually don’t know the answer to these two at first by train and then, as I grew older, by motorbike. watch the game. questions, but I do know that there are plenty of LGBT non-league football fans out there, One of the saddest days of my life was watching A stadium record 2,411 fans watched what and perhaps some of them would like to feel Tonbridge play their very last game at the Angel turned out to be a fantastic 4-3 thriller with part of a community. Part of the attraction and Ground before it was demolished to make way for a Lewis Taylor scoring the winning goal for us in pleasure of non-league football is meeting fans shopping centre. The game against Hounslow ended the 80th minute. I made a promise to myself that from opposing teams, and over the years I’ve in a soulless draw, with the very last goal at the ground afternoon that I was not going to miss another really enjoyed that aspect of the game, as well as being scored, appropriately, by Mickey Angel. Looking Angels game and it is a promise I have largely kept attending several mass Conference South meet back, there are three reasons why it was so sad for to. My partner didn’t make such a promise, to my ups in London which have been really good fun. me personally; firstly, was how poorly attended the knowledge, but he’s hardly missed a game either. The ability of fans to mingle is one of the features game was, secondly, the ground was of huge historic that makes non-league very special to me. significance having been one of the original So, three and half years later, we now arrange our homes of Cricket, and lastly because, work commitments around the club’s footballing So if any of the thousands of LGBT non- due to pressure of work (not that I knew calendar, and this has enabled us to go to virtually league fans out there are interested in it at the time), it would be thirty years every home and away game. We have also establishing a fans’ group, I have set-up an Tonbridge in Kent, and on the day I was born before I would next see the Angels become club volunteers and when required we Tonbridge (as the club was known then) were play another game at home. work the turnstiles or act as stewards. We also online forum to get things going. Please playing Welling & Bexleyheath in a must win help organise fund raising events such as the join the discussion at game or face relegation… and you guessed it, My increasing work commitments club’s beer and music festival that is now in its http://lgbtnonleaguefans.freeforums.org they lost! Not that I either knew or cared about didn’t stop me watching football fourth year and has become the largest event of its type in West Kent. Colin Hill

9 10 UEFA RESPECT DIVERSITY CONFERENCE UEFA RESPECT DIVERSITY CONFERENCE

As a fan or football activist, it’s easy to be cynical when “Whether it is as a club, a league or an association, we homophobia in football. The workshop also confident that the door is very much open for governing bodies hold ‘diversity’ conferences. I mean, really need different cultures to make progress and to provided opportunities for other participants discussion on LGB and T inclusion in football at what are they really trying to achieve other than some make sure everyone has the chance to participate. So to talk about a range of issues and challenges, a European level. positive PR? And isn’t it always just another talking among the challenges now is to get the actions that such as homophobia in the women’s game, shop? develop these points: to make sure that keep getting sustainability and commercialisation of football Of course much of the real business of the girls involved in football and that the talented boy and LGBT groups’ role in the game. conference was conducted outside the formal Having been to a number of international sports doesn’t leave football when he finds out that he has a sessions, and one of the great outcomes of the conferences over the past eight years, I wasn’t different sexual orientation, because of the threat of The conference concluded with a players’ event was a decision by a number of the LGBT/ expecting a great deal when I applied to participate discrimination.” panel. Albeit the panel didn’t include an LGBT anti-LGBTphobia organisations represented in UEFA’s Respect Diversity Conference. I have to say, I footballer, but it was again positive to hear to continue discussions together later in the was pleasantly surprised. It would appear that UEFA has a commitment to those players who did take part consistently year. As a result, a number of organisations inclusive leadership at the highest level and a desire talk about the need to tackle ‘racism and and groups, all part of the FARE network, are The conference, held in Rome to take action on barriers to homophobia’, something that I don’t think they coming together for a day’s meeting in Berlin on on September 10-11 this participation. would have been comfortable doing even as December 13th to share ideas for campaigning, year, saw 200 participants recently as three years ago. talk about priorities for LGBT inclusion in (representatives of FAs, Following this call to action, football across Europe, and discuss initiatives for activists and campaigners) delegates were treated to a So respect to UEFA for putting LGBT inclusion UEFA EURO 2016. from countries across Europe presentation by KNVB (the centre stage, kudos also to FARE, UEFA’s gather for two days of panel Dutch FA) of their ‘Football equality partner, for ensuring the voice of its I’ll provide an update from this meeting in a discussions, workshops and For Everyone’ project, which LGBT members is being heard at the highest future edition of Stand Out! speeches on diversity in includes a quirky viral anti- level, and to the LGBT activists, fans’ groups European football. homophobia clip - http:// and campaigners who have been working Lou Englefield youtu.be?UeuI7B_Z77w - and for many years to get us to this point. Of As an LGBT activist working in also saw KNVB president course, there is still a long way to go, and I am Lou is Campaign Director of Football v a context where the campaign Michael van Praag and the mindful that gender identity and transphobia Homophobia against racism has a much then national team coach also desperately needs addressing, but I am more established history in Louis van Gaal take part in football than the fight against Amsterdam Pride 2013 on homophobia, the inclusive tone of the event was set a designated KNVB float. We’ll look forward to an in Michel Platini’s opening address. Small pleasures update on their anti-homophobia work going forward. maybe, but there was something hugely powerful in hearing the UEFA President talk about sexual Day two of the conference gave delegates an orientation alongside other protected characteristics. opportunity to participate in themed workshops, Not just ‘racism and other forms of discrimination’, and I had the opportunity to present some of the as is so often the case in sport, but ‘SEXUAL work of FvH in the Tackling Homophobia workshop, ORIENTATION’. alongside presentations by academic Anthony Mette and European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (www. The first day continued in a plenary format, with eglsf.info) Co-President Klaus Heusslein. Anthony’s panels, speeches and presentations from a range of presentation concerned his research into attitudes stakeholders. Particularly notable was the all-female amongst football scholars in France for campaign panel of MEPs and football figures, including Heather organisation Paris Foot Gay (www.parisfootgay. Rabbatts and Karen Espelund. Again, it was nothing org) whilst Klaus addressed the action last season but reassuring to hear Karen Espelund, from UEFA’s by UEFA against Bayern Munich for the display of a Executive Committee, talk of diversity as a “driving homophobic banner by a small minority of their fans, force” for organisational development: and the need to work strategically in Europe to tackle

11 12 GET INVOLVED! GRASS ROOTS GRANTS UP FOR GRABS! February 2015 is our next Month of Action. • Speak to your club! Football v Homophobia is making ten grants, each The ten grants up for grabs will be • Speak to your supporters’ trust or association! of £200, available to grass roots football clubs in the made for actions which further the • Speak to your local media! UK. The scheme aims to encourage grass roots clubs aims of Football v Homophobia, to take part in the FvH’s Month of Action in February namely to: 2015, and the grants have been funded through the GET YOUR CLUB INVOLVED! generosity of the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. • Make football safe, welcoming and inclusive for LGBT people Toolkits and support, plus much more besides, are available on our website. Lou Englefield, FvH Campaign Director, explains: “Last • Create opportunities for LGBT If you are holding an event in February, or you work for a club that is supporting the Month of Action, then February 48 out of 92 professional clubs took action to people to engage with football please let us know and we will add your event to the online calendar and publicise it in Stand Out! support the Football v Homophobia campaign. In our • Improve representation of LGBT fourth year, this was a great achievement. This season people throughout football Let’s work together to tackle homophobia in football. we are aiming to engage even more professional clubs, but also help grass roots clubs get involved in the The deadline for applications to the CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME! campaign. The grass roots small grants scheme aims to grass roots small grants programme is 12 December give a helping hand to junior and adult clubs wanting 2014 and successful applicants will be informed of the We’re always looking for people to write their stories or points of view for Stand Out!, so please be in touch with to take action on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender outcome by 17 December 2014, giving clubs 6 weeks to our editor, Phil Moss, if you would like to contribute: [email protected] inclusion.” prepare their action.

Applications can only be submitted online, at: www.footballvhomophobia.com/small-grants-programme

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