In Pride Month, the FWA joins with Sports Media LGBT+ in sending a message of welcome and inclusion to industry colleagues, with the two organisations also collaborating on a panel event in association with Football v Homophobia…
By FWA / Sports Media LGBT+
Sports Media LGBT+ is delighted to announce a new co-operative partnership with the Football Writers’ Association and an accompanying panel discussion event to take place in Pride Month.
Both the collaboration and the event, which was held via Zoom on June 14, reinforce the FWA’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and acknowledge the significant contributions being made across football media by lesbian, gay, bi, and trans people.
Several members of the FWA are part of Sports Media LGBT+’s core group or are connected to the network through social media.
As part of the agreement, the two organisations are also issuing a joint pledge that recognises the power of the Pride message and how it equates to our workplaces, press boxes, and everyday conversations both in person and online.
The Football Writers’ Association and Sports Media LGBT+ share a commitment towards fostering a fully inclusive environment for all in the football media industry.
The FWA’s Constitution already contains a strong equality and anti-discrimination statement.
In Pride Month in June 2021 and beyond, the two organisations are collectively sending a welcoming message to friends and colleagues who are lesbian, gay, bi and trans, in appreciation of the significance of this time of year and the importance of active allyship.
While football in the UK continues to make progress on LGBT+ inclusion, the culture, traditions and global audience of the game can make conversations on this topic difficult.
The FWA seeks to contribute to a more open dialogue that recognises the many challenges that LGBT+ people in football face, particularly with regards to coverage in the wider media and the value of responsible visibility.
Football Writers’ Association and Sports Media LGBT+
To further explore these themes, a panel discussion event was virtually in conjunction with Football v Homophobia on June 14.
Titled ‘Taking Pride in Your Work: LGBT+ Voices in Football Media’, the panel featured Nicky Bandini (The Guardian, ESPN, talkSPORT), Adam Crafton (The Athletic), Matt Dickinson (The Times), and Lianne Sanderson (Sky Sports, talkSPORT, BBC Sport).
The event was introduced by FWA chair Carrie Brown and moderated by Sports Media LGBT+ founder and lead Jon Holmes.
Jon has also written a blog for the FWA website providing further background about his experiences in football journalism, the group he set up in 2017, and the impact of visibility.
Learn more about the Football Writers’ Association and Football v Homophobia on their websites.
To enquire about membership / involvement in the FWA, visit their Contact page.
Sports Media LGBT+ is a network, advocacy, and consultancy group that is helping to build a community of LGBT+ people and allies in sport. We’re also a digital publisher. We welcome your enquiries and encourage you to connect with us – learn more here.
LGBT+ in sports? Your visibility will inspire other people – sharing your story can be hugely rewarding and you don’t have to be famous to make a positive and lasting impact. We encourage you to start a conversation with us, in confidence, and we’ll provide the best advice on navigating the media as part of your journey so that you retain control of your own narrative.
Email jon@sportsmedialgbt.com or send a message anonymously on our Curious Cat.
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