The Football.v.Homophobia (FvH) month of action has been launched in Sussex with a high-profile match between the Sussex County FA and Brighton Lesbian and Gay Sports Society (BLAGSS).
FvH is an international initiative opposing homophobia in football at all levels – from grassroots to professional clubs – and runs every February.
The aim is for football to take a clear stand against homophobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game and so that football leads the way in removing discrimination and prejudice based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Sussex County FA chairman Mathew Major takes the matter very seriously and says everyone should be allowed to play, regardless of sexuality, race or religion.
“Football is for all in Sussex, and I am delighted that BLAGSS have now affiliated with us. Yes, there are still some people in society who may hold negative views, but one would hope that is a minority view in 2016,” he said.
BLAGSS is a sports and social group that now has around five hundred lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender members from across Brighton and Hove, Sussex and beyond.
Voted best gay sports group in the UK by Pink Paper in 2008 and Best Community Group in the Golden Handbags 2011, members are all different shapes, sizes, ages and abilities, and participate in sports as varied as badminton, rock-climbing and cycling.
The team only plays friendlies but football coordinator Elliot Toms, 40, says the time may come when they enter one of the local leagues in Sussex.
“We have a wide variety of players. I am a geologist, we have a builder, civil engineer, doctor, and we are aged between about 20-48,” he said.
“Yes, of course homophobia still exists in football. I sit at the Amex watching Brighton, and I can hear people shouting abuse at players, particularly racist.
“That is appalling, especially when you consider inevitably there will be children at the game who will hear such comments. That may put them off the game altogether.
“Our aim this month is to raise awareness that homophobia still exists in football, and quite simply it shouldn’t. I have a thick skin, but not everyone does.
“Who knows, one day we may enter a team in a competitive league in Sussex!”
Just for the record, the Sussex County FA XI won 3-2. There were no cautions, very little ill feeling, and both teams behaved perfectly.
(Photographs from the match can be found on Facebook)
For further information about the Football.v.Homophobia campaign please contact FvH:
Football.v.Homophobia
E: info@footballvhomophobia.com