Boost for LGBTQ football fans amid rise in reports of homophobia and transphobia
New resource to help LGBTQ fans launched by Football Supporters’ Association and Pride in Football; the LGBTQ+ Supporter Group Toolkit arrives at a time when reports of homophobic and transphobic abuse are rising in the game…
The release of a new resource to support LGBTQ football fans at all levels of the game will also help to counter the rise in reports of homophobia and transphobia.
That’s the view of Pride in Football, the UK’s umbrella organisation for supporters groups for LGBTQ people and allies.
In conjunction with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), the LGBTQ+ Supporter Group Toolkit has now been launched. This free guide offers practical advice for anyone looking to set up, run, or grow an LGBTQ fans group at their local club, no matter how big or small that club might be.
The toolkit arrives at a critical time. Despite progress in recent years, reports of homophobic and transphobic abuse in grounds and online are on the rise, with recent data from the Home Office and anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out confirming this.
For many LGBTQ fans, going to a match can still be an unwelcoming and unsafe experience. Some supporters have even stopped attending games altogether because of incidents of discriminatory language and behaviour, including mass chanting.
The new toolkit captures 10 years of hands-on experience. Since the first LGBTQ supporter groups formed in 2013, Pride in Football has grown to include more than 50 active fan groups across England, Scotland, and Wales, as well as groups following the UK national teams.
Speaking about the importance of the project, Rishi Madlani, co-chair of Pride in Football, explained why visible representation in stadiums matters so much:
“With rising levels of homophobic abuse in football, LGBTQ+ supporters groups are needed more than ever. Having a strong, active and visible LGBTQ+ supporters group – backed by your club – is one of the best ways to help turn the tide on homophobia and transphobia in football. This toolkit will make existing groups stronger and make it easier for new groups to form and give them the confidence to drive change.”
The guide acts as a practical handbook and covers key steps such as hosting initial club meetings, designing group logos, and building a presence on social media to attract members.
It also provides advice on hosting matchday socials, getting involved in campaigns like Football v Homophobia’s annual Month of Action, and promoting trans inclusion. For growing groups, it offers tips on funding, committee governance, and working with local media.
To make life easier for volunteers, the toolkit includes real-life stories and template documents, such as welcome emails and press releases. It features advice from established fan groups, including Manchester United’s Rainbow Devils, Sheffield United’s Rainbow Blades, Tottenham Hotspur’s Proud Lilywhites, and West Ham United’s Pride of Irons.
As Derby County’s group, Rainbow Rams, noted inside the guide, the impact of these groups goes beyond the stadium: “Our flag shows the next generation that they don’t have to choose between who they love and the club they support.”
The project was brought together by a volunteer working group, with support from Pride in Football and the FSA’s Fans for Diversity campaign, a joint initiative run with Kick It Out.
Nilesh Chauhan and Hannah Kumari, Campaign Managers at Fans for Diversity, praised the collaborative effort: “This project and the finished product demonstrate what football supporters can achieve when they work together… By capturing and building on more than a decade of progress, this resource helps ensure a strong and sustainable future for LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups.”
Cass Hyde, campaigns officer for Pride in Football and co-chair of Rainbow Devils, encouraged fans at every level of the game to dive in. “LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own priorities… if you’ve ever thought about starting a group at your club, whatever level of the football pyramid it plays at, this toolkit was made for you!”
The LGBTQ+ Supporter Group Toolkit is available now to download for free online.
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