International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

The 17th of May marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. We in EFDN proudly support and celebrate this day with many initiatives. This year we would like to pay attention to the relevance of it by introducing the “We Play With Pride Campaign”.

The international day commemorate the 1990 decision of the World Health Organization to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. The day aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. Every year, policy makers, opinion leaders, the media and the general public are challenged to address the urgent need to combat violence and discrimination against LGBTI people and to build inclusive societies, enriched through their diversity.

Recently the Pro League took many steps forward with their Football for All campaign. Find here below the full article.

LFP with a let’s get rid of discrimination, let’s get rid of homophobia campaign

As part of the International Day Against Homophobia, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (Professional Football League) and Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT clubs are joining forces this weekend on the final day of Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT to send out a clear and firm message: Let’s get rid of homophobia!
The LFP is continuing its major campaign against discrimination, with a new section dedicated to the fight against homophobia. Seven weeks after an exceptional mobilisation on a day dedicated to the fight against racism, French professional football is mobilising to fight homophobia in a totally unprecedented way at all Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT stadiums. On the pitch, all the players will be wearing special shirts featuring a specific logo symbolising their commitment to the fight against homophobia. In addition, to mark the total involvement of the competitions organised by the LFP, the competition badges for Ligue 1 Uber Eats and Ligue 2 BKT will also change and become rainbow-coloured.

Diversity wins

Diversity Wins is an educational programme that promotes diversity, respect and tolerance on and off the pitch, co-funded by the European Union. The project aims at educating, engaging, and inspiring children and young people aged 10 – 16 years through an educational based programme on racial, LGBTQ+, religious, and gender-based discrimination.

Diversity Wins helps educate teachers, sports coaches, and organisational staff to deliver informative and impactful educational sessions to children, as well as learn how to discuss complex topics, use the appropriate language and terminology. The programme has the purpose of establishing an inclusive society for all, through the high-profile status of European football and professional football players. This way, the clubs can contribute to the establishment of a united European stance against discrimination and society.

This year, with the We Play With Pride Campaign, we created a special logo that can be shared on your social highlighting the activities of your organisation in relation to this topic and the Diversity Win project.

All-In&Win

EFDN started a new project called ‘All-in & Win’ to increase knowledge & awareness to recognize discrimination in grassroots sports towards members of the LGBT+ community. Together with two academic institutions, the John Blankenstein Foundation and multiple hockey & football national associations, we aim for the acceptance of LGBT+ and creating a safe & inclusive sport climate for people who identify themselves within the LGBT+ label. 

Participation in sports is a human right and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy its physical, social and mental health benefits regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Unfortunately, too many athletes experience discriminatory behaviour and intolerance in sport. As a consequence, too many people are not willing to come out because they are afraid of the responses in their sport environment.