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ANTI HOMOPHOBIA CAMPAIGN LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA IN FOOTBALL.
The Justin Campaign, a campaign launched in memory of Justin Fashanu, the world’s first and only out gay professional football player; is to launch an international day opposing homophobia in football – Football vs Homophobia on February 19th 2010. The days intention is to raise awareness of the prevalence of homophobia in the worlds favourite sport and to encourage national clubs to show their support for the cause by adopting the initiatives logo for the day and to include messages that support the cause and condemn the use of homophobic language and abuse in match day programmes.
This initiative comes to light just weeks after The Justin Campaign became part of a coalition with the TUC (trade union congress) the PFA (professional footballers association) KickItOut (the FA’s equality and inclusion campaign) PrideSports (The UK’s only LGBT sports development company) & Schoolsout (an organisation fighting for LGBT equality in education) to take forward an independent campaign against homophobia in football.
Community football teams throughout the UK and Europe will be showing their support for the cause by holding a series of football matches and fun events throughout the day under the banner of Football v Homophobia. The Justin Campaign, as well as staging an opening ceremony in Brighton shall be sending their campaigning football team The Justin Fashanu All Stars to play in a football match in Norwich where Justin Fashanu began his footballing career.
February 2010 is also LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenedered) history month. Darren Ollerton, campaign director said “We wanted the launch of Football vs Homophobia to compliment LGBT history month somehow. Every year on Feb 19th the campaign will celebrate the day by following Justin Fashanu’s career throughout the years and engaging with each team and their community along the way. Let’s hope when the campaign reaches the end of the timeline we will have witnessed some much needed change in the way gay/bi men in professional and amateur football are perceived and treated.”
Any individuals, teams, groups or companies interested in supporting the initiative by hosting an event in their area can contact the campaign via their website www.thejustincampaign.com for support and promotional materials.
Founding director of The Justin Campaign Jason Bartholomew Hall said – “We think it’s important to have one day out of each year when clubs and supporters are able to unite in opposing hate and intolerance in their national sport. However people celebrate Football v Homophobia day – let it be out of respect for each other and of equality”
The Justin Campaign, a campaign launched in memory of Justin Fashanu, the world’s first and only out gay professional football player; is to launch an international day opposing homophobia in football – Football vs Homophobia on February 19th 2010. The days intention is to raise awareness of the prevalence of homophobia in the worlds favourite sport and to encourage national clubs to show their support for the cause by adopting the initiatives logo for the day and to include messages that support the cause and condemn the use of homophobic language and abuse in match day programmes.
This initiative comes to light just weeks after The Justin Campaign became part of a coalition with the TUC (trade union congress) the PFA (professional footballers association) KickItOut (the FA’s equality and inclusion campaign) PrideSports (The UK’s only LGBT sports development company) & Schoolsout (an organisation fighting for LGBT equality in education) to take forward an independent campaign against homophobia in football.
Community football teams throughout the UK and Europe will be showing their support for the cause by holding a series of football matches and fun events throughout the day under the banner of Football v Homophobia. The Justin Campaign, as well as staging an opening ceremony in Brighton shall be sending their campaigning football team The Justin Fashanu All Stars to play in a football match in Norwich where Justin Fashanu began his footballing career.
February 2010 is also LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenedered) history month. Darren Ollerton, campaign director said “We wanted the launch of Football vs Homophobia to compliment LGBT history month somehow. Every year on Feb 19th the campaign will celebrate the day by following Justin Fashanu’s career throughout the years and engaging with each team and their community along the way. Let’s hope when the campaign reaches the end of the timeline we will have witnessed some much needed change in the way gay/bi men in professional and amateur football are perceived and treated.”
Any individuals, teams, groups or companies interested in supporting the initiative by hosting an event in their area can contact the campaign via their website www.thejustincampaign.com for support and promotional materials.
Founding director of The Justin Campaign Jason Bartholomew Hall said – “We think it’s important to have one day out of each year when clubs and supporters are able to unite in opposing hate and intolerance in their national sport. However people celebrate Football v Homophobia day – let it be out of respect for each other and of equality”
