Toolkit for unions to tackle homophobia in football

A toolkit designed to stamp out homophobia in football is being launched by the TUC as part of a concerted action by unions and their allies.

The toolkit is to help unions challenge the prejudice faced by many LGBT people in football and wider sport. It was written and designed by members of the TUC alliance against homophobia and transphobia in football in association with The Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Just a Ball Game! – a campaign which challenges homophobia and promotes LGBT participation in sport.

The toolkit includes practical ideas and advice for union members on how they can best tackle homophobia at club level and what kind of resources they may need.

The toolkit will be launched at the TUC’s headquarters by Frances O’Grady, the TUC General Secretary, with members of the alliance including Gordon Taylor from the PFA, Maria Exall, chair of the TUC LGBT committee, and Lindsay England from Just a Ball Game! The launch is also being supported by Stonewall, the Gay Football Supporters’ Federation and the Inclusion Adviser at the Football Association.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:  ”Unions are continuing to do outstanding work promoting equality at work and in society in general. This toolkit will help them reinforce the message that there is absolutely no place for homophobia in football or indeed any kind of sport.

“Union activists have used this approach at a number of professional clubs in the past and we want to build on those successes.”