‘You find people like you’ – LGBTQ football fans recommend ‘Stronger Together’ event
A summit for football fans who are LGBTQ or allies is being held in Nottingham on October 3; Martin Hyland, founder and chair of Proud Forest, says the event is “a great starting point” for anyone new to the game’s queer community; listen to Martin and Rainbow Devils’ Cass Hyde on the FvH Podcast…
Football supporters from across the country are set to gather at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground on the afternoon of Saturday, October 3, for “The Forum: Stronger Together”.
The event marks the UK’s first major national gathering of LGBTQ+ fan groups in football since 2019.
Supported by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) and Pride in Football – the alliance that now represents over 50 fan groups – the summit will bring supporters together for a day of networking, collaboration, and key discussions.
The day’s agenda covers critical issues facing queer match-goers, including the recent rise in reports of homophobia and the impact of the updated EHRC guidance.
There will be sessions on strategies for building, strengthening, and sustaining fan groups, and how fans can get involved with the FSA beyond its LGBTQ+ Hub.
Attendees will also take part in a large-scale flag display inside the City Ground. After the event, there will be a social held at a local bar.
To preview “Stronger Together”, two prominent LGBTQ+ fan leaders have joined host Jon Holmes on a new episode of the Football v Homophobia Podcast, produced by Sports Media LGBT+.
Cass Hyde, co-chair of Manchester United’s Rainbow Devils and a Pride in Football committee member, highlights practical advice for trans and non-binary match-goers, while sharing how the new LGBTQ+ Supporters’ Group Toolkit serves as an essential resource.
Also featuring on the episode is Martin Hyland, founder and chair of Nottingham Forest’s official LGBTQ+ group, Proud Forest.
Founded in 2023, Proud Forest picked up an FvH Award earlier this year for its impressive impact. Speaking on the podcast, Hyland emphasises the power of regional connection and urges fans who have never engaged with a supporters’ group to take the leap.
Reflecting on his journey as a fan, Hyland recalls how isolated he once felt in the stands.
“Everyone engages differently with football and their identity,” he explains. “But I’ve been going to Forest in the same stand now for about 15 years, when I thought I was the only queer supporter in that entire stand.
“So then when you start up a group and connect with a group, you find your people, essentially – you find people like you.”
For fans hesitant about attending their first event of this type, Hyland offers reassuring words about the community’s welcoming nature.
“If you’ve never engaged with a group or a club, the Forum will be a great starting point because there’ll be so much on offer from the keynote speakers, from the panels, from the people in the room…
“Some people might think, ‘I don’t really know anyone’, or ‘I’ll feel a bit awkward or late to the party’ – but LGBTQ+ supporters and people involved in queer football are some of the most welcoming people.
“Everyone’s been that person who’s been there first. If you just show up as yourself, I think you’ll be welcomed.”
Hyland says that this spirit of inclusion defines the wider movement.
“One of the best pieces of feedback we had from Proud Forest was during an end-of-year review. One person who recently joined commented: ‘I’ve never felt so welcomed by a group of total strangers.’
“I think that just feeds through the entire queer football space. You might be a stranger when you first meet, but by the time you leave, you’re part of the family.
“So just come as you are, come as yourself, and by the time you leave, you’ll be part of the family.”
Listen to the conversation in full on the latest episode of the FvH Podcast.
Further reading…
Surge in reports of homophobia to Kick It Out compared to last season (July 2026)
LGBTQ fan groups highlight ‘disgusting’ abuse (February 2026)
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