The Premier League is set to back the Rainbow Laces campaign over the next fortnight, with Stonewall's director of programmes Liz Ward highlighting the progress made but acknowledging there is still 'a long way to go'. The campaign, now in its 10th year, aims to make sport more inclusive for LGBT+ people.
Ward expressed delight at the visibility and acceptance achieved, noting that the campaign receives 12 million hits annually and has sold over a million laces. However, she stressed the need to address the minority who still view anti-LGBT banter as acceptable, especially as hate crime rises nationally and internationally.
The support of high-profile figures like Jurgen Klopp, Harry Kane, and Jordan Henderson has been crucial to the campaign's success. Ward emphasised the importance of role models in showing that LGBT+ people are welcome in football, from grassroots to the top flight.
Birmingham Blaze, an LGBT+ inclusive football team, is among the grassroots clubs benefiting from the campaign's impact. The team has been running for 17 years and competes in both local and national leagues.
