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Gay News: Some of country's biggest sports bodies are backing a government campaign to stamp out homophobia and transphobia in sport.
By: Nigel Robinson

Sport: what you do, not who you are

UK sports back campaign against homophobia

14 March 2011

 

 

 

The Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union, together with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, have become the first signatories of the Charter for Action, which aims to make sport a welcoming environment for LGBT people.
The Charter covers four points: 

A belief that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy sport, whoever they are and whatever their background  

A belief that sport is about fairness and equality, respect and dignity and that it teaches individuals how to strive and succeed
A commitment to work together and individually to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia 

A commitment to make sport a welcoming place for everyone and to challenge any unacceptable behaviour 

In a statement, the Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: 

“Sport should be about what you can do, not who you are. But too many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people feel that the sports field is not somewhere they can be themselves, and that prejudice and discrimination will mean their sexuality is always talked about more than their ability with a ball, bat or racket. 

“Homophobia and transphobia have no place in sport and I’m delighted that so many sporting bodies are backing our campaign to stamp it out at all levels, from local parks to Olympic stadiums. 

“Everyone – including individual sportsmen and women and spectators – is welcome to sign up to the charter, and I want to see as many people as possible joining us in pledging to stamp out homophobia and transphobia.” 

Supporting the Charter, Alex Horne, General Secretary of the Football Association, said: 

“The FA and its stakeholders have worked hard over the years in providing football for all and ensuring that football stadia are open everyone and are both family and LGBT friendly. 

“We’ve seen real progress over the last twenty years when it comes tackling racism and that’s something football should be proud of.  

“We remain committed to our long-term goal of removing all forms of discrimination such as homophobia out of the game.”