FvH is an international initiative that exists to challenge discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression at all levels of football.
We want football to take a clear stand against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game and that football leads the way in removing anti-LGBTIQ+ discrimination and prejudice.
Football v Homophobia was originally conceived and launched in 2010 by the Justin Campaign. A small voluntary-run group, the Justin Campaign was founded in 2008 to demonstrate that 10 years after Justin Fashanu's tragic suicide, homophobia was still hugely prevalent in both grassroots and professional football.
Along with raising awareness, the campaign had a strong focus on art, events and education through football.
In 2012, LGBT+ sports development and equity organisation Pride Sports joined with the Justin Campaign to help deliver Football v Homophobia, and in 2014, the organisation took over the delivery of the campaign altogether.
Whilst the campaign receives wide-ranging support throughout football, core funding for Football v Homophobia is sought on a year-by-year basis.
If you or your organisation/company would like further information about the campaign and find out about more ways to get involved, please email info@footballvhomophobia.com
Lou Englefield
Lou is a leading LGBTIQ+ sports rights activist. She has been a trusted voice on LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport and physical activity for more than 20 years. Lou presents and speaks on issues of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport and physical activity globally and has ensured that Football v Homophobia has become a leading authority on LGBTIQ+ inclusion in football, at the forefront of insight, policy and practice.
Keph Sennett
Keph is a Canadian freelance writer and sports activist whose passions for travel and soccer have led her to play the beautiful game on four continents. She acts as Football v Homophobia's Team Lead for the Americas, seeking to find ways to bring a message of inclusion and diversity to football (soccer) throughout Canada, the United States, and Central and South America. Her sports-based writing has appeared in publications including Sports Illustrated online, VICE Sport, BBC News, and Al Jazeera America. When not writing, she spends her free time trying to figure out how to qualify for a soccer squad in Asia, Australia, or Antarctica.
Annette Nelson
Annette is a consultant with more than 30 years experience in the education sector in the UK. She has developed learning resources for adults working with young people in and through football, as well as for young people themselves. She provides expert advice on FvH education and training initiatives and delivers education programmes for the campaign.
Natalie Washington
Natalie is a football player and activist. She is the Campaign Lead for the Football v Transphobia campaign. As an expert on the inclusion of trans people in sport, she speaks internationally - to governments, intergovernmental organisations, sports bodies, grassroots organisations and the media.
Jon Holmes
Jon is a journalist and media consultant, specialising in LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. He is the founder and lead of Sports Media LGBT+, an industry network, advocacy and consultancy group, and writes primarily for Outsports.com. He assists with media and comms for FvH and other projects, and is a committee member for the Sports Journalists’ Association, the Football Writers’ Association, and InterMedia UK.
Jen Watts
Jen is a print and web designer and works with a range of organisations across all sectors, particularly in the LGBTQ+ sports sector. She is head of creative for FvH and is experienced in major event design and registration processes. Jen is a basketball player and has competed in multiple international LGBTQ+ tournaments, including the Budapest, Stockholm and Lyon EuroGames.