Last month fans from clubs and nations across Europe gathered at the London Stadium, home of West Ham United and Pride of Irons, for Pride in Football’s third annual symposium #CallItOut19.
Around 100 fans were in attendance, representing clubs the length of the UK, and nations including Ireland and Belgium. They came together to collaborate around the issues faced by LGBT+ football fans and to challenge negative attitudes whilst raising awareness of equality and inclusion within the game we all love. The keynote event of the weekend was a panel session which saw #CallItOut19 attendees joined by West Ham United’s Alisha Lehmann, Olympic boxing medalist and ally Anthony Ogogo, out gay wrestler Brad Slayer, actor Charlie Condou & Guardian journalist Nicky Bandini.
Pride of Irons co-chair Jim Dolan said: “Our relationship has been recognised as one of the best between an LGBT+ fan group and a club in football, which is why Pride in Football (PiF) asked West Ham to host #CallItOut19.
“The high-profile support given to various LGBT+ campaigns like Rainbow Laces and the Pride in London Parade by the club; the support of both senior staff and the players, and the appointment of out-gay staff to senior positions shows the club is driving awareness across football and beyond.”
I’m a bit overwhelmed…
Di Cunningham, out-going Chair of Pride in Football and organiser of Proud Canaries, said; “I’m a bit overwhelmed! One hundred people signed up for this (#CallItOut19); that’s LGBT fans, plus other stakeholders in football who are interested in LGBT inclusion.
“That is 100 people putting their heads together to solve some of the problems we still have. It isn’t all about celebrating how far we’ve come, we’ve still got to look at where we’ve got to go to. Events like today make me feel really, really good and hugely positive for the future.”
Steph Fuller, incoming PiF Chair and founder of Proud and Palace, said: “In a world of negative headlines it could be easy to believe that all is lost. However if you attended #CallItOut19 you cannot fail to have been caught up in this movement of positivity – real football fans representing clubs from across the UK and Europe, coming together to freely share knowledge and experience, with single aim of making football a truly inclusive place for LGBTQ people.
“Pride in Football now has a membership of fifty supporters groups across the English & Scottish leagues, and we look forward to the continued growth of our membership and welcoming more groups from clubs that are unrepresented.”
Get involved…
You can get more information on events such as #CallItOut19 and about how to set up your own supporters group by viewing our toolbox or by emailing [email protected].