The Football v Homophobia (FvH) Campaign is to hold a conference for fans on tackling homophobia and transphobia in football as part of their Month of Action in February. The conference is being held at the National Football Museum in Manchester on 15 February 2015 and is open to all fans interested in making the game more inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT). Campaign Director, Lou Englefield explains:
“At our International Fans v Homophobia conference in 2013, supporters were clear they wanted more fans groups to be involved in campaigning and greater visibility for LGBT people around the grounds. Since then we have seen an explosion of LGBT fans groups in the UK and action by fans from the wider community to tackle LGBT discrimination. Our 2015 conference will carry the conversation forward and help supporters define next steps for the movement”
Delegates will be able to participate in a range of plenary discussions and break-out sessions throughout the day covering issues such as reporting, campaigning for change, tackling transphobia, and homophobia and the women’s game. Speakers will include representatives from fans groups throughout the UK, alongside administrators and campaigners, whilst the newly formed #PrideinFootball network will be organising a strand of sessions throughout the day specifically for LGBT supporters working on self-organised groups.
The conference is taking place in February, which is LGBT History Month in the UK; a time of year FvH asks the football community to come together and take action against LGBT discrimination. Last year saw 48 of 92 professional clubs in The Premier League and Football League take part alongside many more non-league and grassroots teams. This year the campaign is hoping for even greater engagement.
Joining the Football v Homophobia campaign in delivering the conference are:
#PrideinFootball, the network of LGBT fans groups
“Newly formed, #PrideinFootball is honoured to be playing a key delivery role in such a high profile anti-discrimination conference. Fan groups play a crucial role in fighting homophobia, biophobia, transphobia and lesbophobia in football and working together makes us stronger.”
Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham Hotspur’s LGBT fans’ group
“Proud Lilywhites are delighted to be part of such an important conference. There is a huge momentum in the LGBT fan group movement in the UK and the more we work together, the better resourced we will be to fight inequality in football based on sexuality and gender identity.”
Proud Canaries, Norwich City’s LGBT fans group
“It’s a critical time for LGBT football fans and it’s a privilege to be part of this seminal event where we’ll be sharing our experience of promoting inclusion and combatting prejudice in the stands”
The Gay Football Supporters Network
“The GFSN are delighted to be supporting this opportunity for the diverse LGBT footballing community to come together, share their experiences and to take another constructive step towards eliminating discrimination from football”
FARE
“The Fare network fights against all forms of discrimination in football. Tackling LGBT-phobia is an important part of our work across Europe. We are delighted to be able to contribute to the FvH conference and help add an international perspective to the event. Across the continent we work with many fans groups campaigning for LGBT rights. By bringing some of them together in Manchester to share their experience and expertise, we can all learn from each other and step up our efforts.”
Gay Gooners, Arsenal’s LGBT fans group:
“gaygooners were very proud to be involved in the LGBT-Fans conference in London, and looking forward to meeting new LGBT-football fans in Manchester at the FVH event. The enthusiasm building up for Fans groups is brilliant and really helping in the fight to eradicate LGBT-Phobia from football. We look forward to making new friends!”
Canal Street Blues Manchester City’s LGBT fan group:
“what a wonderful way for fans of any team to show support for Inclusion by attending FVH’S free event in Manchester the true home of the beautiful game! it will be a great success”
The Football Supporters Federation:
Anwar Uddin, Diversity and Campaigns Manager for the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “After the success of last year’s #Prideinfootball conference, it is key we build on the momentum generated moving forward. ‘Fans v Homophobia’ will bring together fans from across the country to the iconic National Football Museum in Manchester to continue raising awareness of discrimination in football and to showcase more wider campaigns. It will prove to be a great chance to meet other fans and discuss how we can together make positive change.”
Kick It Out:
Roisin Wood, Director of Kick It Out, said: “Kick It Out is delighted to support the ‘Fans v Homophobia’ conference. Last year’s #Prideinfootball conference showed the appetite amongst football supporters to increase awareness, visibility and support for LGBT fans’ groups. ‘Fans v Homophobia’ provides another opportunity to bring supporters together to exchange ideas on how we can all play an active role in tackling LGBT discrimination in the game, and help to make football a more welcoming and comfortable environment.”
Registration for the conference can be found here:
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fans-v-homophobia-conference-tickets-15045512533