FARE Football v Homophobia Month of Action 2022

FARE Football v Homophobia Month of Action 2022

The Football v Homophobia Action month takes place each February – in tandem with LGBTIQ+ history month – to raise awareness of discrimination against and celebrate the diversity and the achievements of the LGBTIQ+ community.

First held in 2010, the Football v Homophobia month of action promotes positive action to fight discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity in and through the sport. Prejudice and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people are still present in many areas of football. Homophobic chanting, the use of derogatory terms, homophobic signs and banners and transphobic policies are only some examples of the discriminatory behaviour that LGBTIQ+ fans, athletes and other stakeholders are subjected to.

To counter that, EFDN member Fare and Football v Homophobia support a range of activities, including educational workshops, round-tables, conferences and themed football tournaments to reach supporters, clubs and activists across the globe to send out a unified message of inclusion in stadia. Football v Homophobia is an international campaign that provides support, education and training to promote an inclusive environment in football and challenges homophobic behaviour in the game.

Football v Homophobia Month of Action 2022

The Queer Agenda: The LGBTIQ+ Football Summit

The organisations will have leading change makers taking part in the summit, watch announcements for more information. On Saturday 26 February, Football v Homophobia and Fare will be hosting an online summit bringing together queer activists from across the globe who are using football to improve the rights and conditions facing LGBTIQ+ people. 

Football v Homophobia International Grants

This year the Fare Football v Homophobia international grants will focus on creating a long-term impact on the sporting environment. Fare is offering grants for exceptional projects that can support the education-led change, particularly educating football stakeholders on the whys and how of increased inclusion and representation of LGBTIQ+ people. You can view the complete list of previous projects here.

Have you identified a gap in existing resources that you want to fill? Perhaps you have an idea for an innovative way of reaching and educating decision makers? Maybe you want to launch a strategic plan for lobbying sports bodies on queer issues? Then this year’s FvH grants may be your opportunity. More information on the submission criteria will be published in February, interested organisatons can get in touch with a member of the FARE team to discuss their idea by writing to info@farenet.org.

The application process will open during the FVH month, with successful activities expected to take place in May around the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. More information on the submission criteria will be published in February.

Open Call: Educational Resources for LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Sports

Fare and FvH are compiling a hub of educational resources around the topic of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in football and sport. If you have created or used any resources that you consider indispensable please share them with us so we can include then in the international database.  The resource can be in any language and focus on any aspect of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport, from how to organise a queer-inclusive tournament, to guidance on responsible reporting in the media or establishing an anti-discrimination reporting system. If you have suggestions of resources to include, please email them to info@farenet.org

Football v Homophobia Award

For the past two seasons, Football v Homophobia has held annual Awards to recognise great work on LGBTQ+ inclusion happening across the game. It is time again for you to nominate those clubs, organisations, groups and individuals who you feel have been making a difference in the past year!

Congratulations to one of our members, Sheffield United, who are nominated for the Football v Homophobia Awards in the category for professional clubs!