Let’s kick homophobia out of football
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Chris Kelly, MP for Dudley South, has welcomed the decision by all the clubs in the Premier League to sign up to the Government's Sports Charter to tackle discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in sport.
All 20 Premier League clubs, including Black Country clubs West Bromwich Albion and Wolves, have promised to challenge discrimination and work to rid football of homophobic abuse whether on the stands or on the field. The Sports Charter was launched in March of 2011 and so far nearly 3,000 sports fans and organisations have signed up.
This Charter forms part of the Government’s work to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are treated equally. At home the Government is erasing historic convictions for consensual gay sex, promoting better recording of hate crimes and will soon be consulting on introducing same-sex civil marriage. And abroad, the Government is committed to promoting LGBT rights.
Commenting, Chris Kelly MP said:
“So many of us across Dudley and the Black Country admire the skill and competitive drama we see on the football pitch but too often we also see the worst of intolerance or discrimination.
“That’s why I’m pleased that this Government launched the Sports Charter last year and is committed to spreading the message that homophobic and transphobic abuse is never acceptable.
“We need to kick homophobia out of football and with 3,000 signatures on this Charter, including all the Premier League clubs, this is a significant step forward.”
“I’ve backed the charter and I urge everyone to get on Facebook and ‘like’ the ‘I love sport, but I hate homophobia and transphobia’ page”.
Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore said: ‘The Premier League and our member clubs believe that everyone should be able to participate in, watch and enjoy sport – whoever they are and whatever their background. When the Sports Charter to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport was launched in 2011 the Premier League signed it and we are pleased to re-affirm our commitment to it today with each of our clubs signing it individually’.
Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson said: ‘Sport should be open and welcoming to everyone regardless of race, religion, creed or sexuality. I applaud the Premier League for their work in helping to get this message out, and would encourage every sport to adopt this Charter’
The first professional football club to sign was Wycombe Wanderers in October 2011. They were followed by Charlton Athletic, Dagenham and Redbridge, Huddersfield Town, Notts County, Peterborough United, Bristol City, Bradford City and Carlisle United Football Club.
Other supporters of the Sports Charter include: Ben Cohen, Stephen Fry, David Furnish, Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, along with the Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football League, the Rugby Football Union and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics Games.
Members of the public can back the campaign on Facebook. To sign the Charter ‘like’ the ‘I love sport, but I hate homophobia and transphobia’ Facebook page.
Premier League clubs include: Arsenal; Aston Villa; Blackburn Rovers; Bolton Wanderers; Chelsea; Everton; Fulham; Liverpool; Manchester City; Manchester United; Newcastle United; Norwich City; Queen’s Park Rangers; Stoke City; Sunderland; Swansea City; Tottenham Hotspur; West Bromich Albion; Wigan Athletic; Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Sports Charter states:
• we believe that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport - whoever they are and whatever their background.
• we believe that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity. Sport teaches individuals how to strive and succeed, how to cope with success and disappointment, and brings people together with a common goal.
• we are committed to making these values a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We will work together, and individually, to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia.
• we will make sport a welcome place for everyone - for those participating in sport, those attending sporting events and for those working or volunteering in sports at any level.
• we will work with all these groups to ensure they have a voice, and to challenge unacceptable behaviour.
Stonewall research found that:
• People who work in the football industry believe there has been a lack of leadership at the highest levels of football in addressing the issue of anti-gay abuse and discrimination.
• 30 per cent of players, managers, coaches and referees said they knew of at least one gay professional player
• The majority of respondents believe that gay players are prevented from coming out by their clubs and their agents
• 7 in 10 fans attending a match in the last five years have heard anti-gay language and abuse on the terraces.
• 78 per cent thought openly gay players would face hostility from fans.
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