Premier League clubs in England are donning rainbow laces and armbands in support of an anti-homophobia in sport campaign.
According to research conducted by Stonewall UK, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia remain a huge problem on the sporting field.
“Seven in ten fans have heard homophobic abuse on the football terraces and shockingly 60 per cent of gay and bi men and 40 per cent of lesbian and bi women expect to experience discrimination if they were to take part in a team sport,” the organisation says.
To help reduce statistics, sporting organisation all over the UK—including British Basketball, British Cycling and UK Athletics—are encouraging players to wear rainbow laces, armbands and badges to stand up against anti-LGBT+ discrimination.
The Premier League also introduced rainbow coloured pitch flags, handshake boards and ball plinths and social media profile pictures to get behind the campaign.
“Having so much support for our Rainbow Laces campaign is amazing to see,” says Stonewall’s Chief Executive, Ruth Hunt.
“It shows that people understand that creating inclusive sporting environments is everyone’s responsibility and that making sport everyone’s game can’t rest on the shoulders of LGBT people alone."
The Rainbow Laces campaign is also open to local clubs and amateur players across the UK.
“We want anyone and everyone who wants to take part in sport – in whatever sport – to feel they can, whether that’s at a professional level or at a local kickabout,” says Hunt.
“Putting on a pair of laces may seem like a small act, but for someone who is LGBT it is a powerful sign of acceptance.”
