Watch a replay of Sports Media LGBT+ and the Football Writers’ Association’s panel discussion event held via Zoom, hosted by Football v Homophobia, to mark a new partnership launched during Pride Month – or listen via the FvH Podcast…
By Jon Holmes
On Monday 14 June, Sports Media LGBT+ held a panel discussion event in conjunction with the Football Writers’ Association, hosted by Football v Homophobia, titled ‘Taking Pride in Your Work: LGBTQ+ Voices in Football Media’.
The football journalism industry is highly competitive and demanding – and it can also be hugely satisfying and rewarding.
Increasingly, efforts are being made to raise awareness about inclusion and take steps to attract a more diverse workforce.
In Pride Month – an important time of year for LGBTQ+ communities – how is the industry faring on representation of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people?
As the FWA and Sports Media LGBT+ kick off a new partnership, the groups’ event featured guests who discussed their experiences, assessed the progress made, and identified areas for action so that everyone – whether writer, reporter, commentator, or those in other roles – feels free to be their authentic selves in football media.
Joining Sports Media LGBT+ founder and network lead Jon Holmes (Sky Sports) for this discussion were:
- Nicky Bandini, The Guardian, ESPN, talkSPORT
- Adam Crafton, The Athletic
- Matt Dickinson, The Times
- Lianne Sanderson, Sky Sports, BBC Sport, talkSPORT
You can watch a replay of the event below after it was live streamed on the FvH Facebook page or listen in a new episode of the FvH Podcast.
There’s also a ‘post-match summary’ of the event on the Sports Journalists’ Association website.
Read a thread of tweets – our thanks to Andrew Henderson from Pride of the Terraces for live tweeting!
Further reading…
Taking Pride: Football writing, being LGBT+, and partnering with the FWA
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. Learn more about us 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.