- FvH Scotland stages memorable sixth annual FvH Awards event at iconic Òran Mór venue, with The Football Association as lead sponsor
- Manchester Laces, Dulwich Hamlet and Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme also pick up prizes, while special awards go to Aaron Ramsdale and the late Kat Lindner
- Scroll down for link to download images from Awards night, courtesy of Light With A Lens
Leeds United’s Pro Game Award was collected by Marching Out Together (image: @lightwithalens)
The galvanising force of the Football v Homophobia Awards was in full effect on Friday on a wildly entertaining night in Glasgow.
Soundtracked by pipers piping, rousing speeches and the roar of 200 guests crowded into Òran Mór, the game’s indefatigable LGBTQ+ and allies community came together from around the world to celebrate achievement and activism, warmly welcomed by FvH Scotland.
With all those named on the 12 category shortlists receiving a trophy in recognition of their sterling efforts, plus two special awards, it made for a helter-skelter occasion on stage.
After performances by Scottish trad band Tuath and dynamite drag queen Geezah Gobble, it was all carried off successfully by co-hosts Flo Lloyd-Hughes and Zander Murray, nimbly navigating a way through the ceremony.
BROWSE IMAGES AND DOWNLOAD HERE – credit @lightwithalens on Instagram
The opening presentation was for the Professional Game Award, sponsored by the EFL. Shortlisted for the first time, Leeds United took the top prize in recognition of the club’s wide range of inclusion initiatives, working closely with fan group Marching Out Together.
Second and third in this category were Leicester City and Coventry City, both well represented in the room by groups Foxes Pride and Proud Sky Blues respectively.
About last night……….. @leedsunited.com @footballvhomophobia.com #lufc #alaw #mot
— Marching Out Together (@marchingout.bsky.social) March 8, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Scotland scored a debut victory in Grassroots Clubs as Saltire Thistle lifted the trophy, their squad briefly taking over the stage after TReNBI FC and Brighton Seagals had been announced in silver and bronze spots. Thistle chair Michael Pierre Johnson’s speech hit all the right notes and gave Glasgow guests early cause to cheer even louder.
The PFA’s Outstanding Contribution Award went to Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, whose vocal allyship was evidenced over the previous 18 months via impactful interviews referencing his out gay brother Oliver. The England shot-stopper has used his platform to challenge homophobia and call for greater understanding.
Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme were the inaugural winners of the new Community Trust or Foundation Award, with their work in primary schools highlighted. Sheffield United Community Foundation and Stockport County Community Trust were the next two on the podium.
For the second time in four seasons, South London’s Dulwich Hamlet set the standard in the Semi-Professional Game category, with the Isthmian League Premier Division club’s contribution to the Pride in London parade a real standout.
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Lincoln United, of the United Counties League Premier Division, were second, with National League South outfit Hampton & Richmond FC third.
The Football Media Award is sponsored by the Football Writers’ Association. In the seventh year of his weekly podcast, a jubilant Jack Murley was the recipient, and voiced his appreciation for those in LGBTQ+ football who had joined him for episodes and shared their stories.
BBC Sport journalist Emma Smith was runner-up, and digital platform Outsports completed the shortlist.
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Three years ago, Manchester Laces triumphed in the Grassroots category – on this occasion, on the eve of International Women’s Day, they won the Women’s Game Award, sponsored by Sky Sports, and generously brought fellow shortlistees Brighton Seagals and Caz Simone back on stage to share in the moment together.
For more background on all the shortlisted entrants in each category, read our article here
Next up was an opportunity to pay tribute to a pioneer of inclusive women’s football, the hugely respected Kat Lindner, who we so sadly lost six years ago at the age of just 39. Kat, a prolific forward for Glasgow City FC and one of the greatest-ever SWPL players, was also a noted academic and LGBTQ+ advocate.
Kat’s partner, club co-founder Laura Montgomery, accepted the award from FvH Scotland and LEAP Sports Scotland in an emotional segment of the evening.
The Football Association of Wales were congratulated on their outstanding inclusion efforts by their equality advisory board member Charl Galloway, who collected the FvH Cymru winners’ trophy on their behalf. Wales legend Jess Fishlock was second and Cardiff Dragons’ Annalise Britton third.
Having been shortlisted three times before in the Supporters’ Group category, it was first place this time for Rainbow Blades, with the Sheffield United group accepting the award from presenters Hannah Kumari (Fans for Diversity campaign manager) and Rishi Madlani (Pride in Football co-chair).
Runners-up Ibrox Pride, the Rangers FC fans group, pumped up the home crowd on their visit to the stage; and taking bronze were QPR Rainbow Rangers, with a strong turnout of their supporters having come up from west London.
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Lincolnshire FA achieved the ‘three-peat’ as they were named the FvH Awards’ English County FA of the Year, ahead of North Riding FA and Kent FA.
Fare executive director Piara Powar presented the International Award, which is sponsored by the anti-discrimination network, with all the shortlisted entrants sending thank you videos.
Mexican football activist Noemi Arzate Miranda was third; Brazil’s LiGay Nacional de Futbol were second; and the winners were African Pride Games, an LGBTQ+ inclusive tournament and movement started up in Johannesburg by South Africa’s first out gay professional male player, Phuti Lekoloane.
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The penultimate category was the FvH Scotland Award, sponsored by the Scottish FA. Having already won Grassroots, Saltire Thistle were able to celebrate doing the double to cap a superb night in their 15th anniversary year. Also doing the host city proud, Camp Hellcats FC and Glasgow Community Football League were second and third respectively.
FvH Hero, for individuals who have gone above and beyond in their bids to make the game more LGBTQ+ inclusive, marked the finale of proceedings. TRUK United FC’s teenage player and campaigner Emily Waldron brought the audience to their feet with a pitch-perfect speech calling for greater support for trans kids in helping them to be active and discover sports. Chris Ledger, the founder of Sheffield Wednesday fan group Rainbow Owls, described his gratitude, having landed in the silver-medal spot.
That meant James Laley, who set up Rainbow Blades five years ago and has not only delivered a stream of activations at Sheffield United but also spearheaded an effective Regional Alliance of LGBTQ+ fan groups, was announced as the 2025 Football v Homophobia Hero, with the category sponsored by The FA.
With all my love, thank you @footballvhomophobia.com
A moment I’ll cherish for the rest of my life ❤️ In this area of work, everyone’s a hero. At a time when discrimination is on the rise & society feels fractured, we fight on with passion & determination. Football for everyone ⚽️🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️— James Laley (@jameslaley.bsky.social) March 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Concluding with a rallying cry from Football v Transphobia campaign lead Natalie Washington, the returning Tuath struck forth with “Loch Lomond” to bring the curtain down on a joyously queer, whole-hearted, eccentric but electrifying FvH Awards.
The energy of Òran Mór will undoubtedly fuel the fire for an unpredictable 12 months ahead in LGBTQ+ football activism.
BROWSE IMAGES AND DOWNLOAD HERE – credit @lightwithalens on Instagram
Special thanks to the event’s sponsors and supporters – the Football Association, the EFL, Fare, the Professional Footballers’ Association, the Football Writers’ Association, Sky Sports, Fans for Diversity (the Football Supporters’ Association and Kick It Out), the Scottish FA, and the Social Hub.
Do you have a working role in football and want to contribute towards making the game more inclusive? Check out the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective – a network group supported by FvH, Kick It Out, Women in Football, Sports Media LGBT+ and others. Email hello@lgbtqfootball.com to learn more!
A version of this article first appeared on Sports Media LGBT+.
Notes for editors
About Football v Homophobia
Football v Homophobia (FvH) is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression at all levels of football.
We want football to take a clear stand against homophobia and transphobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game and football leads the way in removing discrimination and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more here.
The annual Month of Action for the FvH campaign is held every February, in what is also LGBT+ History Month.
FvH provides tailored education sessions for people in football of all age groups.
For more news and content relating to FvH, as well as our Football v Transphobia initiative, visit our archive.