Celebrating Black History Month – An LGBTQ Football XI of Power and Pride
In October, the UK and Ireland are among the countries marking Black History Month; the BHM 2025 theme in Britain is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”; in appreciation of those providing representation in the game, Sports Media LGBT+ and Football v Homophobia present a team of history-making Black LGBTQ players…
Influence, leadership, and resilience – these are just some of the qualities being celebrated by Black History Month UK’s 2025 theme of “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”.
They’re also intrinsic to any successful football team, and October provides a great opportunity to applaud the achievements of Black players and coaches in the game.
For those of us who are LGBTQ, and for our allies, we’re grateful for the stories shared in recent years by those whose Black culture and heritage has enriched the LGBTQ football community.
The representation they provide resonates strongly with millions of supporters around the world, particularly young people of colour who are queer or questioning and see themselves reflected out on the pitch.
With this in mind, and focusing on the UK and Ireland as the two countries mark BHM, Sports Media LGBT+ and Football v Homophobia has put together a pioneering team of 11 players plus an international coach, who are all firmly deserving of “Power and Pride” honours…
Anita Asante – centre-back
- Arsenal legend and WSL Hall of Famer who won 71 caps for England and played for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics
- Now a pundit, Anita is married to sports reporter Beth Fisher – they welcomed daughter Gigi in late 2023
- She told Sports News Blitz in July: “The more that people are aware of people from the LGBTQ+ community that work in football as well, I think it opens doors for others to feel that they can be part of this community in this space, and hopefully one day have a role within the game”
Jess Carter – centre-back
- Two-time Euros winner and World Cup finalist with the Lionesses, the Gotham FC defender has five WSL champions’ medals from her time at Chelsea
- Announced her engagement last year to Ann-Katrin Berger, the Germany international goalkeeper – they’ve been clubmates since Birmingham City days
- Jess is on the cover of the latest issue of DIVA Magazine, and says: “Women’s football has always been such a safe family space, and we want that to include everyone”
Justin Fashanu – striker
- The first £1million footballer and the first professional player to come out as gay, Justin remains an iconic figure, 27 years after his tragic death
- The Norwich City legend’s birthday on February 19 is marked by clubs, leagues and governing bodies around the world as the International Day Against LGBTQ-phobia in Sport
- Five years ago, Justin was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame, and in 2023, a mural tribute was painted on the wall of a pub in Norwich
Jahmal Howlett-Mundle – centre-back
- Came through the academy set-up at Crystal Palace, played pro football in Scotland, and is now the captain of Sevenoaks Town FC
- Jahmal won the most recent Football Black List LGBTQ Award in recognition of his advocacy and education work since coming out publicly as bisexual in 2021
- He said he felt honoured to be celebrated “for my identity and my queerness” and dedicated his award to “Black boys and men who have been made to feel like football isn’t safe for them”
Phuti Lekoloane – goalkeeper
- Former pro player and activist from South Africa, where they mark Pride Month in October – we’ve brought in Phuti as our shot-stopper!
- Came out as gay publicly a decade ago while with Pretoria-based third-tier club JDR Stars – he is Africa’s first out LGBTQ player in men’s pro soccer
- Recognised nationally in 2025 by the South African Sports Awards for his inclusion work with African Pride Games, and internationally by Football v Homophobia
Jackie McCarthy O’Brien – forward
- Born in Birmingham, Jackie moved to Limerick before her first birthday and went on to play both international football and rugby union for the Republic of Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s
- Recently released her memoir “We Made It, Kid” in which she discusses incidents of racism and abuse, coming out as gay, and building a big TikTok following
- Now 63, she was the Grand Marshal for Limerick Pride two years ago. She spoke to the Irish Independent about her fiancé Ismay: “I will strive every day to be a better person for Ismay, so we do get that happy ever after”
@jackieamccarthy #jackieob #soproud #ireland #avaiastadium #fai #womenssoccer #liveyourbestlife #coygig #staypositive #foryou #viral #fyp ♬ original sound – jackieamccarthy
Aslie Pitter – central midfielder
- A founding member of Stonewall FC, the UK’s first and most successful LGBTQ football club, Aslie was awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year Honours
- Pivotal figure in many title-winning teams at international LGBTQ tournaments, such as the Gay Games and IGLFA World Championships
- In a feature to coincide with the broadcast of TV’s “It’s A Sin” in 2021, he told Sky Sports: “We don’t get to talk about the fun side [of being gay in the 80s and 90s] so much. There was a hell of a lot of fun, especially at the beginning”
Hope Powell – player-manager
- After a midfield career which included playing in the Euro ‘84 final and the 1995 World Cup, Hope spent 15 years as the Lionesses head coach and was made a CBE in 2010
- Now technical director for WSL2 promotion chasers Birmingham City, she says taking charge of the Great Britain team at the London 2012 Olympics was the most satisfying moment of her career
- Welcomes greater representation in the modern game, telling PA in 2022: “Young girls and boys are benefiting from seeing some players that are openly gay… they can ask ‘why can’t that be me?’
Lianne Sanderson – forward
- With a half-century of caps and a bronze medal from the 2015 World Cup, Lianne is a Lionesses legend who has become an in-demand pundit at home and abroad
- This summer, she married her wife Ellis in a beautiful ceremony in Bedfordshire, writing on Instagram: “Best day of my life”
- With courage and confidence, she has consistently spoken out against online abuse, and has won LGBTQ inclusion honours from DIVA, the Football Black List, and the British LGBT Awards
Alex Scott – right wing-back
- Represented her country at eight major international tournaments and inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame last year, Alex is Arsenal and Lionesses royalty
- Now one of BBC Sport’s leading presenters, she memorably wore a ‘OneLove’ armband while reporting pitchside at the 2022 men’s FIFA World Cup
- Part of a ‘power couple’ with pop star Jess Glynne, she eschews labels, telling The Guardian in 2023 that she is “a hopeless romantic”
Caz Simone – central midfielder
- With more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, Caz is an acclaimed LGBTQ advocate and spoken word artist
- They were recently appointed manager at Salford City FC, after a career playing for Huddersfield Town, Brighouse Town and FC United of Manchester
- After collecting the Football Black List’s LGBTQ Award in 2023, they said it felt “special” to win, adding: “I’d never put my blackness and my queerness together before”
Demi Stokes – left wing-back
- A WSL title winner with Manchester City in 2016 and a Euro 2022 champion with England, Demi is still going strong as captain of Newcastle United in WSL2
- “Mummy to Harlen” is written in the bio of her Instagram account, where she often shares photos of her three-year-old son
- She says it’s important that LGBTQ people in football feel comfortable, telling The Guardian: “If you’re going out with a boy, a girl, it doesn’t matter, it shouldn’t change anything.”
Who are the LGBTQ people in football that you’re celebrating this Black History Month? Let us know!
Further reading…
Hope Powell on The FA’s list of English football’s Black icons (October 2025)
Justin Fashanu among 9 queer Black, British heroes selected by PinkNews (October 2025)
Sports Media LGBT+ is a network, advocacy, and consultancy group that is helping to build a community of LGBTQ+ people and allies in sport. We’re also a digital publisher and can help with your content requirements. Learn more about us here.
We’re interested in your news and stories. Share with us and tap into a worldwide audience through our Google News affiliate website which attracts thousands of visitors, and our popular social channels. Contact us to discuss how we can help you.
