Helen Duffett

Lynne Featherstone launches Government campaign to tackle homophobia in sport

By | Mon 14th March 2011 - 6:05 pm

Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities, has launched Charter for Action – a set of principles to help stamp out homophobia and transphobia in sport and make sport a welcoming environment for LGBT people.

The Pink Paper reports:

A groundbreaking gay sports charter which will invite national governing bodies of sports to commit to tackling homophobia was launched yesterday.

The announcement was made by Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone as she attended the Sheffield Eagles rugby league game – a match against Widnes Vikings which saw players take a stand against homophobia by wearing specially made kits bearing the slogan ‘Homophobia: Tackle It!’.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone said,

Sport is still seen by many as an institution where there are barriers we have yet to tear down, because there are so few openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people who feel comfortable on the field.

Professional sports have the ability to change attitudes, on the field as well as in society. That is why it is important we break through this last remaining taboo and tackle it head on so that LGBT people feel welcome in all sports.

The Liberal Democrats have long pledged to tackle prejudice everywhere and today’s launch of the Charter for Action is an important step in ensuring in sport homophobic prejudices become a thing of the past.

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2 Comments

  • Christine Headley 15th Mar '11 - 6:01pm

    I was pleased to see that the Surrey (and England reserve) wicket keeper Steven Davies has come out. Eighteen first class counties employ about 20 cricketers each so, if 10% of people are gay, you would expect about 35 gay first class cricketers.

  • Ray 24th Apr '14 - 11:51pm

    How terrible, all this “homophobia” in sport.

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