Oxford United are proud to be supporting this year’s Stonewall rainbow laces campaign, with our next home game against Shrewsbury Town our designated game to show our full support.
The U’s supported Southend United’s day of action on Saturday where there were rainbow corner flags and captain John Mousinho wore a special rainbow armband to support the campaign, and against Shrewsbury those things will be happening at the Kassam Stadium as well as on the cover of the matchday programme.
Many LGBT people live and breathe sport. But 4 in 10 think sport isn't welcoming. Whether we're cheering or competing, we are all at our best when we feel part of the team. And we can all lead the way by doing little things to be more inclusive.
We all know the chants and slurs that are deeply hurtful to LGBT people and to all of
us who support equality. Most of us wouldn't dream of joining in. Some of us might
even call it out and report it. But making LGBT people feel like they belong in the team isn't always about being ahero in those horrible moments.
Even when LGBT people show up every week, they can still feel excluded. We can all play our part by doing little things to be more inclusive. A little friendly challenge can help our teammates, WhatsApp groups, colleagues, friends, and family be more inclusive too.
We don't need to ask people if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend – that might be forcing them to come out or tell a lie. You can make sure non-binary people feel more included by using gender-neutral language like ‘team’ in your team talk.
No need to speculate about who a sport star is attracted to – that’s their business.
Assumptions about what makes a good athlete should have nothing to do with their
identity.
Wearing Rainbow Laces is a bright little beacon that shows you are there for LGBT
people around you. And so is talking about equality in sport. It shows that you care, and that you want to be an ally.
When someone tells you they are LGBT, tell them you support them no matter what.
Whether we're cheering or competing, we are all at our best when we feel included.
Together we can make sport everyone's game. Play your part.