Having scored more than 200 goals for his local club, based in a small village in Somerset, Callum Hodge can say with confidence that he’s made his mark in grassroots football.
Millions of men across the U.K. play at a similar level every week - but Callum’s story is unusual. He came out as gay in his early 20s and has carried on playing into his late 30s. He’s yet to meet another player at this level who’s out as gay or bi to everyone in their county league.
Callum knows that homophobic language is a major reason why the vast majority of gay guys like him remain hidden in football. But with his team, Chew Magna FC - who have been amazing allies - he’s taking action. They recently walked off the pitch in protest due to a discriminatory slur, with the incident now under investigation.
Sadly, it’s not the first time Callum has faced homophobia on the field. Now he wants to help bring about change for the benefit of other LGBTQ players, especially those struggling with their sexuality.
On this episode of the FvH Podcast, he talks to Jon Holmes about the good, the bad and the ugly of grassroots men’s football; why he’s extra proud to be an Aston Villa fan; and shares his coming out story, in support of National Coming Out Day on October 11.
Links..
FA investigates alleged homophobic slur at match (BBC Bristol, 29 Sep 2025) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07v0z5ngzdo
'Alarming' rise in reports of homophobia in grassroots football highlighted by FvH campaign (Sports Media LGBT+, December 2024) - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/grassroots-football-homophobia-anti-gay-lgbtq-discrimination-disciplinary-review
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; and you can find us on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
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‘Footballer’ - that’s what is written in Lars Fellows’ Instagram bio, along with Pride flags and a kiss emoji for the TV show that’s changed his life.
Lars is our guest on a special episode of the FvH Podcast. The first-ever trans contestant on the BBC’s ‘I Kissed a Boy’ shares his football story in the media for the first time, and it’s an enthralling tale.
As an Under-18, he played at a high level with a professional club set-up and could have pursued a career overseas. But there was a decision to make, one that took him out of football for a long time. Eventually, he'd rediscover his passion for playing with an LGBTQ-inclusive club, one that has become very close to his heart.
Speaking to Jon Holmes from FvH / Sports Media LGBT+, Lars also looks back on a summer that's made him a famous name in queer households and has brought him some amazing opportunities, such as at Pride in London.
He talks about his passion for the club he’s supported since childhood, and why he’s excited to be a part of Football Pride, the big FvH summer get-together event happening at The Y Theatre in Leicester on Friday 29 August 2025 (10am to 5pm).
You could be there too! Read more info and grab a ticket here - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/join-us-at-football-pride-2025-in-leicester-on-29-august/
Follow Lars on socials - https://linktr.ee/larsfellows
Discover the previous episode with IKAB's Jordan Burrow - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/jordan-b-from-i-kissed-a-boy-on-fvh-podcast/
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @footballvhomophobia.com on Bluesky; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
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The sun may have set on the masseria for another year, but don’t worry... we’ve got one of the lads from hit TV show ‘I Kissed A Boy’ season 2 right here, on the FvH Podcast!
Not only was Jordan Burrow one of our faves from this latest series, but he also showed his football credentials by donning a tangerine kit to honour footballer Jake Daniels, who’s still the only out gay player in the men’s game in England since sharing his story three years ago.
Jordan joins Jon Holmes from FvH and Sports Media LGBT+ for a chat about all things LGBTQ+ in the game, how he came out to his Man Utd-loving dad and brother, his thoughts on what smaller clubs can do to make gay fans feel more welcome, and his future plans…
Links..
Jordan Burrow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jordanburrow
Football v Homophobia Shop - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/shop/
Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. Connect with us on social media - Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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It’s party time! The Football v Homophobia campaign is in the mood for dancing because Awards Night is here once again - and this year, we’re all going to Glasgow!
This is the sixth staging of the only event of its kind, recognising outstanding achievement in the field of LGBTQ+-inclusive football - from the professional clubs setting the standard, to the fan groups that are bringing folks back to the game, to the FvH Heroes going above and beyond… their moment of acclaim is here, and we just can’t wait to celebrate.
To preview the Awards in this special episode, we’re joined by two guests who know the Scottish game inside out, and not least the city’s LGBTQ+ football scene - it’s Amanda Aitken and Megan Thomas from The Sideline podcast.
Since it started in May 2024, Amanda and Megan’s pod has quickly become a must-listen, mixing big interviews with the likes of Tessel Middag and Elaine C. Smith, alongside truly nourishing natters with grassroots champions like Glasgow Pride Community Football, Cathkin Blazes, Glasgow Saints, to name but a few.
If you’re hitting play before Awards Night on Friday 7 March, consider this your essential preview (and if you haven’t yet bought a ticket, hurry! Link below)... if you’re late to this episode, fear not, as there’s still loads to enjoy, as The Sideline duo spill the beans on podcasting, their own club Camp Hellcats FC, their dream guests, and much more.
Links..
The Sideline Podcast - https://podfollow.com/1749278705
The Sideline on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_thesidelinepodcast/
Buy FvH Awards Night tickets! - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-v-homophobia-awards-night-2025-tickets-1216203149359
FvH Awards 2025 shortlists - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/football-v-homophobia-awards-2025-shortlists-announced/
Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can find us on Bluesky, Facebook and Threads too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
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In the history of the Rainbow Laces campaign, LGBTQ supporters groups have been pivotal - think of Proud Hornets’ huge rainbow mosaic at Watford, fans getting to chat with first-team players, and clubs and community trusts sharing the stories of members.
However, in the 2024 activation, three groups in the Premier League - Crystal Palace’s Proud and Palace, Manchester United’s Rainbow Devils and Ipswich’s Rainbow Tractors - found themselves pitched into controversies due to decisions made by players that blew up into big stories.
Be it an armband or an anthem jacket, whether abstaining or altering, the impact of these situations are felt deeply by LGBTQ fans who suddenly find themselves having to handle media enquiries and negotiate with club officials under similar scrutiny.
On a special Podcast episode, Proud and Palace co-chair Emma Franklin-Wright and group member Randy Boose share their reflections from a turbulent week and a half; Emma’s equivalent at Rainbow Devils, Eric Najib - who’s also first-team manager at Stonewall FC - talks us through what happened at Manchester United; and we’re also joined by Rishi Madlani, the co-chair of Pride in Football and a committee member of Leicester City’s Foxes Pride.
As well as looking back, the panel also looks ahead to what a future Rainbow Laces activation might look like in light of this year’s challenges, and how the annual FvH Month of Action in February 2025 can help shift the focus onto where it needs to be.
Links
Football v Homophobia - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/
Read Randy’s blog - https://substack.com/@randy831/p-152601330
Proud and Palace on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/proudandpalace
Rainbow Devils - https://rainbowdevils.com/
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram and Threads; @footballvhomophobia.com on Bluesky; @FvHtweets on X; and you can like us on Facebook too. Contact us via DM or email jon@footballvhomophobia.com
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It's a huge weekend in the Women's Super League and Championship, with bumper crowds expected on a round of fixtures all being played at the clubs' main stadiums - from Goodison Park to the Amex, from St James' Park to The Valley, a lot of eyes will be on women's football.
And they'll be seeing a lot of rainbows, as it's a Rainbow Laces activation too. So how important is the LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports campaign in the women's game?
Joining us to explore this is Billericay Town forward Valentine Pursey, who recently went public about a report she made regarding homophobic abuse on the pitch; and Huddersfield Town midfielder and TikToker Caz Simone, who won the LGBTQ Award at the Football Black List earlier this year.
They chat with host Jon Holmes of FvH and Sports Media LGBT+ about their experiences within football and on social media; what it's like to be a player with short hair, which is somewhat rare in the women's game and also the subject of an awareness campaign created by an Under-12 girls team; and what they believe the underlying message should be for Rainbow Laces 2024.
Links
Valentine Pursey on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/valentine.pursey/
Caz Simone on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@yourfavouritegemini666
Rainbow Laces info - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/rainbow-laces-2024-womens-football-lgbtq-sports-campaign-barclays-wsl-super-league-championship
Thank you for listening to the Football v Homophobia Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram and Threads; @fvhfeed on Bluesky; and you can like us on Facebook too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
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Collin Martin has hit two USL milestones this season - 150 games and more than 10,000 minutes played. In his own words, he's a "steady" midfield performer... yet the path he took was very uncertain back in 2018 when he came out publicly as gay.
In this episode, Collin joins host Jon Holmes for a chat at a time when he and his North Carolina FC teammates are bidding to seal a spot in the USL Championship playoffs. Beyond that topic, however, this is a wide-ranging and timeless conversation in which he looks back at his soccer journey so far, discusses his off-field cultural passions, and explains how he's making an impact by sharing his story creatively and purposefully.
Collin also talks about his relationship with boyfriend Zach, his hopes for the FIFA 2026 World Cup and Pride Houses at the tournament, and the importance of taking a clear stand against LGBTQ+-phobia.
Links
Collin Martin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cm7md
Thank you for listening to the Football v Homophobia Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram and Threads; @FvHtweets on X; and you can like us on Facebook too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com - email jon@footballvhomophobia.com
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With an impressive Australia Cup run, top spot in the final league table and state silverware to boot, it's been a season to remember for South Melbourne FC.
Winger Andy Brennan has been a key man in the club's successful campaign, chipping in with several goals. Now 31, he came out publicly as gay in 2019 and is thriving in the second tier of soccer Down Under.
Andy joins podcast host Jon Holmes for a chat about his fine form, his off-field advocacy work, and what he's been learning about masculinity and sexuality in sports through his own experiences and his psychology studies.
He also offers his thoughts on how to best tackle homophobic language in sports, and the effect of his visibility and that of other out gay men who are playing pro and semi-pro football, of which there are very few anywhere in the world.
Andy has insights into self-esteem and shame, which are subjects rarely touched upon in men's football culture. Listen in for an important conversation.
Links
Andy Brennan on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andybrennan36/
“Masterclass” goal for SMFC! - https://www.instagram.com/southmelbournefc/reel/C8_w6SoyqAe/
Rainbow Owls event in Sheffield (Thu 3 Oct) - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/rainbowowls/1358123
Thank you for listening to the Football v Homophobia Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram and Threads; @FvHtweets on X; and you can like us on Facebook too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com - email jon@footballvhomophobia.com
Produced by Sports Media LGBT+ for FvH
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A host nation for a major men's football tournament that doesn't have anti-gay laws? Welcome to Germany for the UEFA European Championship!
For LGBTQ+ fans and allies, this tournament is a refreshing change compared to the last two World Cups in Russia and Qatar. It will also feel different from the pan-continental staging of the previous Euros, held while the pandemic was ongoing.
So what should supporters expect at Euro 2024? Joining host Jon Holmes from FvH for a chat is Alice Drouin, one of the organisers of Pride House Berlin.
The venue will be the community place to hang out in the German capital, not only to watch live football but to take part in talks and activities. Alice gives us the lowdown on the project, and also puts these Euros into a wider queer context - the national mood, UEFA's role, and whether the month-long football festival will be a Pride party as well.
After that, the episode focuses on England and Scotland. Three Lions Pride co-founder Joe White will be out in Germany for the duration - they tell us about the LGBTQ+ fans group's plans, how they will provide visibility and whether Gareth Southgate has got a squad that can match or even better the run to the Euro 2020 final.
Football writer Andrew Henderson, the creator of Pride of the Terraces, tells us what success would look like for the Scots, and explains why the media's role is critical for helping the football to blend in with Pride Month, not stand apart.
This episode is produced by Sports Media LGBT+ for FvH. Activate the campaign in your football space - just head to the website for info, or contact us!
Thank you to the Football Writers' Association for supporting our annual Pride episode of the podcast.
Links
Football v Homophobia - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/
Pride House Berlin - https://berlin.lsvd.de/neuigkeiten/pride-house-berlin-euro-2024/
Three Lions Pride - https://x.com/3Lionspride
Pride of the Terraces - https://prideoftheterraces.com/
Football Writers’ Association - https://footballwriters.co.uk/
Come to Football Pride 2024 in London on 28 June! - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-pride-2024-tickets-894377395867
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials using the hashtags #FvH2024 and #LGBTQfootball. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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A project in Germany called “Sports Free” has suggested gay and bi professional footballers in the men’s game should consider coming out as a group.
The date of May 17 - which is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia - has been put forward as a window of opportunity for this.
But what would go through the mind of a gay player who is considering taking this step? Does nothing but happiness and freedom lie on the other side - or is it a different kind of pressure?
Zander Murray took that step himself, individually, back in September 2002, making history in Scottish football.
He now delivers workshops that provide guidance to young people on how to create inclusive spaces in the game. These sessions with TIE Scotland are having a big impact in Scotland and Zander hopes to take this work to more clubs, academies and schools.
On a special episode of the FvH Podcast, he talks about the challenges he overcame when coming out, and gives his take on the interest around possible comings out on May 17, including by the British media.
He also explains why he’s so passionate about education and describes his “dream” for a future in which footballers everywhere get the info they need to empathise with any teammates who might be gay or bi, or to be their authentic selves if they are LGBTQ+ themselves.
This episode is hosted by FvH media and comms lead Jon Holmes, produced by Sports Media LGBT+.
Activate FvH in your football space - just head to footballvhomophobia.com/fvt for info, or contact us! We value your support.
Links
Follow Zander on social media - https://linktr.ee/zandermurray
About the TIE workshops - https://tie.scot/news/ties-anti-homophobia-football-project-to-feature-in-rylan-clark-documentary/
About the football media interest around May 17 - https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/13/24093764/gay-footballers-coming-out-group-may-17-sports-free-bundesliga-media-hype/
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials using the hashtag #FvH2024 and #IDAHOBIT2024. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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There haven't been many stories shared by transgender footballers in the UK, which makes Blair Hamilton and Natalie Washington two trailblazers in the sport.
Blair is a goalkeeper for Saltdean United Women. She plays in the fifth tier of the women's game in England, while Natalie is a level below at tier six.
On this special episode of the FvH Podcast in support of the annual Week of Action for the Football v Transphobia campaign, Blair speaks candidly about her experiences in the game - the supportive camaraderie she's found at Saltdean, the moments of discrimination she's overcome in the sport, and her determination to help educate others through her academic research.
Together with Natalie, who is the campaign lead of FvT, they also discuss new statistics released by Kick It Out that show more people are coming forward to report anti-trans abuse than ever before.
This episode is hosted by FvH media and comms lead Jon Holmes, produced by Sports Media LGBT+.
Activate FvT in your football space - just head to footballvhomophobia.com/fvt for info, or contact us. We value your support.
Links
Football v Transphobia info and resources - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/fvt/
The focus of #FvT2024 - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/football-v-transphobia-week-of-action-2024-lgbtq-trans-nonbinary
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials using the hashtag #FvT2024. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram and Threads; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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'Rylan: Football, Homophobia and Me' is the latest TV documentary to explore the experience of being LGBTQ+ in the game. Produced by Buzz 16 for TNT Sports, it has a different feel to similar films, given a very personal touch by its hugely likeable presenter - a big West Ham supporter and football fan in general - while focusing on people within the game who are out as gay and bi and who have shared their stories.
On this episode of the FvH Podcast, Jon Holmes is joined by two of those people - Thetford Town player-manager Matt Morton, and Sevenoaks Town centre-back Jahmal Howlett-Mundle.
Matt is no stranger to appearing on screen since first publicly sharing his story back in the summer of 2020. As a self-described 'alpha male' who bucks all the stereotypes, he's also given great thought to the many factors that make visibility like his so rare in men's football.
Jahmal shared the news that he is bisexual a year after Matt, in July 2021, and he has also been in demand from all parts of the media - he's thought to be the only player to have progressed through a Premier League club's Academy system to then later come out publicly.
In a chat held in the annual Football v Homophobia Month of Action and what is also LGBT+ History Month, Matt and Jahmal (aka Jam) talk about what it was like to be part of the Rylan documentary, give their reviews of the finished film, and discuss a lot of connected issues such as LGBTQ+ men's mental health, education, and experiences of both discrimination and inclusion at grassroots level.
Matt also talks about another doc that's just been released in Germany called 'The Last Taboo' which will hopefully hit UK streaming platforms later in the year.
Links
Football v Homophobia - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/
Matt and Jahmal's profiles on the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective (see links to their socials) - https://lgbtqfootball.com/who-are-we/
Watch 'Rylan: Football, Homophobia and Me' on Discovery+ (UK) - https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/video/rylan-football-homophobia-me/rylan-football-homophobia-me
Jon's blog about the doc for Out and Out Football - https://www.outandout.football/p/rylans-new-documentary-will-fire-you-up-for-football-v-homophobias-month-of-action/
Trailer on Buzz 16's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/buzz16_buzz16-documentary-lgbtq-activity-7163139078765408259-334W
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram and Threads; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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It can feel like the toughest decision you'll ever make - but being true to yourself, your teammates, coaches and colleagues is the winning feeling that every LGBTQ+ person in football deserves.
On this episode of the FvH Podcast, Jon Holmes is joined by two referees for a conversation about the upsides of coming out and how to look out for others when they might be feeling down.
Dan McFarlane is a Category 1 ref taking charge of games in the SPFL. He's been out within Scottish football officiating for several years and says authenticity has been an essential part of his rise up the leagues.
Mikey Connor will be familiar to viewers of BBC reality dating show 'I Kissed A Boy' - but he's also a Liverpool FA referee at grassroots level. Like Dan, he's a member of the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective, a network group run by FvH that's bringing together those from the community who are working in the game.
In a chat with host Jon Holmes to coincide with World Mental Health Day and Coming Out Day on October 10 and 11, the two men in the middle share their stories, offer advice to other gay and bi guys who might be finding it hard to break out of the closet, and assess the challenges that are still being faced in men's football.
It's a refreshing and open conversation that can help listeners to unlock their potential, on and off the pitch - and it might just encourage you to pursue officiating as well.
Links
Football v Homophobia - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/
Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/
Mikey and Dan’s profiles on the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective (see links to their socials) - https://lgbtqfootball.com/who-are-we/
Dan on referee recruitment (Press & Journal) - https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/6186347/referees-encourage-new-faces-to-pick-up-the-whistle/
Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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In Manchester on Pride weekend, the Football v Homophobia campaign revived a big get-together for the LGBTQ+ community in the game - an event that had previously been held online during the pandemic summer of 2020.
This time, however, it was in person and fully fabulous! At a symposium at Man Met University, queer football culture was celebrated, from the inclusive vibes of the Women’s World Cup to encouraging signs in the men’s game, from the ‘monster’ TRUK United FC story to a decade of LGBTQ+ fan groups.
We also put on a screening of short film ‘Realness With A Twist’ which tells the tale of a voguing-mad player who’s torn between the dressing room and the dancefloor; and we explored why Manchester is a magical place to make family through football.
There was also a Pride party at the uber-cool Motley bar and we marched with a Football Pride banner in the parade on the Saturday before enjoying the rest of the weekend on Canal Street.
The event was one of the highlights of the FvH calendar, and joining Sports Media LGBT+’s Jon Holmes to recap all the news and share their own stories are guests Sabah Ahmad and Adam Haworth.
Sabah spoke on the closing panel about setting up Lez Be United FC, a club for women and non-binary people that plays in Manchester’s inclusive AF League. On the pod, she explains how growing up, she could never have dreamed of the kind of connection she has with football now; why local drag bar Cruz 101 is the perfect sponsor; and what she took away from Football Pride.
At the start of 2023, Adam created Out and Out Football, a digital platform to share queer perspectives on the game. He talks about what he enjoyed as an attendee, and his outlook on LGBTQ inclusion as a Burnley fan. He also offers some suggestions about what might be good to introduce if/when (!) Football Pride comes back in 2024…
Thank you to everyone who took part - our speakers, attendees, sponsors, organisers and anyone who amplified the message.
Some links…
Lez Be United FC on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lezbeunited_fc/
Watch Cruz 101’s Barb Just Barb try out for the team in a special Pride video! - https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs9BEbHoXiJ/
Out & Out Football - https://www.outandout.football/
Adam on Twitter - https://twitter.com/aahaworth
Thank you for listening to the Football v Homophobia Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com
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Lovers of the game are gearing up to go Down Under for the ninth FIFA Women's World Cup and with the tournament fast approaching, that's where our LGBTQ+ focus lies for a special Pride Month episode.
For the third consecutive year, the podcast is celebrating the Football Writers' Association's support for Sports Media LGBT+, with both organisations keen to send out the message that the football media industry welcomes everyone.
Joining host Jon Holmes for this chat are four fellow journalists - together they'll waltz you through a queer history of the WWC, selecting highs and lows, heroes and villains from past tournaments, before looking ahead to Australia and New Zealand 2023. On the pod...
The FWA welcomes industry professionals and students as members, while Sports Media LGBT+ can help you on inclusion, networking and content creation. Reach out for advice and connections!
Thank you for listening to the Football v Homophobia Podcast - if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.
We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too. Happy Pride!
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Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are on Twitter and within that, there's 'Football Twitter' - the sizeable cohort of users who support their clubs fiercely, who comment on the latest news and gossip constantly, and who interact with just about anything to do with the game.
'Football Twitter' (or 'FT') has also become notorious for anti-LGBTQ+ abuse and discrimination. As the platform continues to grow in toxicity and reach, it appears to be an increasingly unpleasant place to hang out for anyone who loves football but doesn't fit the 'FT mould'.
On this episode of the FvH Podcast, we're joined by broadcaster and Arsenal YouTuber Sophie Nicolaou - aka @soccerdiva - and journalist and researcher Finbarr Toesland.
Sophie tells us about her own experiences of harassment and abuse from a noisy 'FT' minority - but she also explains how she's still able to find her tribe on Twitter.
Finbarr discusses the new report he's authored exploring how LGBTQ+ journalists - including football content creators - are being targeted on social media, and his recommendations to media organisations and brands. He feels they need to understand how and why abuse happens and the effect it has on individuals.
This episode, hosted and produced by Sports Media LGBT+'s Jon Holmes, is being released to coincide with the global awareness day IDAHOBIT (the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia) on May 17, and Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK.
Show your support for FvH! Activate the campaign in your football space - just head to footballvhomophobia.com for info, downloads and resources, and how to contact the FvH team.
Links
Sophie Nicolaou on Twitter - https://twitter.com/soccerdiva
Finbarr Toesland on Twitter - https://twitter.com/FinbarrToesland
Read Finn's report: 'Are media organisations adequately protecting LGBTQ journalists from harassment and abuse?' - https://www.bcu.ac.uk/media/research/sir-lenny-henry-centre-for-media-diversity/research
IDAHOBIT - https://may17.org
Mental Health Awareness Week - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week
Thank you for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
Music
Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
"You can't win a championship without gays!" - a quote uttered by Megan Rapinoe at the World Cup in France in 2019 that has already passed into women's football folklore.
Two years later, the simple tweet "they're lesbians, Stacey" under a picture of Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis at the Tokyo Olympics quickly took on legendary status, becoming a T-shirt slogan, catchphrase and much-loved meme.
You might think therefore that Lesbian Visibility Week - held annually around Lesbian Visibility Day at the end of April - would be well supported by the women's game, as a chance to recognise inspirational LGBTQ+ role models on and off the field.
But there has been barely any LVW messaging around the professional game, or from sponsors and influencers, or in the media, and not much mention on social media either, even though the awareness week is now well established.
For this episode of the FvH Podcast, we explore the many reasons behind that. Sports reporter Beth Fisher and FvH campaign director Lou Englefield are the guests, joining regular host, Sports Media LGBT+'s Jon Holmes.
Stereotypes, tensions, urban myths, lesbophobia, nervousness around language and the complexities of being visible… they're all factors that feature in a wide-ranging conversation.
Show your support for FvH! Activate the campaign in your football space - just head to footballvhomophobia.com for info, downloads and resources, and how to contact the FvH team.
Links
Beth Fisher on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BethFisherSport
Lou Englefield on Twitter - https://twitter.com/LouEnglefield
Lesbian Visibility Week - https://www.lesbianvisibilityweek.com/
‘Why shouldn’t two opponents kiss each other after a game?’ (Sophie Downey, The Guardian, 26 April 2023) - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/26/why-shouldnt-two-opponents-kiss-each-other-anna-tamminen-rosa-herreros
Just Like Us research - https://www.justlikeus.org/blog/2023/04/24/lesbian-visibility-week-research/
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
We're back with a new episode to mark the annual Week of Action for the Football v Transphobia campaign, and helping to sprinkle some stardust on proceedings is one of TV's favourite soap actors!
Ash Palmisciano is a familiar face on the small screen having played the part of Matty Barton in Emmerdale since 2018 - it's a groundbreaking role as Matty is the first trans character in the ITV soap's history.
What you might not know, however, is that Ash is a big football fan and he's getting his boots back on for another TRUK United FC matchnight at Dulwich Hamlet FC in London on Friday 31 March, which is Trans Day of Visibility.
Last year, history was made when TRUK United fielded the first 11-a-side team of all trans women in a match in the UK; and Ash is going to be part of history too, as he'll be playing in what's thought to be Europe's first team of all trans men.
To look ahead to the game, and to discuss his passion for international football and why FvT resonates with him, Ash is a guest alongside campaign lead Natalie Washington, in conversation with podcast host Jon Holmes of Sports Media LGBT+.
Show your support! Please activate the campaign in your football space and share on social media with hashtags #FvH2023, #NoFootballWithoutTheT and #TransFootyAlly.
Links
Follow Ash on Instagram at @ash.p.x
Watch Ash's TedX talk
What happened at the FvT Week of Action launch event (Sports Media LGBT+)
TRUK United FC at Dulwich Hamlet FC, Friday 31 March 2023, from 6pm - info and tickets link
Follow Natalie on Twitter at @Transsomething
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
It’s the annual Month of Action for Football v Homophobia - clubs, leagues and county FAs are stepping up to be campaign champions, while people at all levels of the game are finding ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusion.
On this episode, the winner of the 2022 FvH Hero Award - Cheshunt FC Women’s Hayley Wood-Thompson - joins Sports Media LGBT+’s Jon Holmes to discuss the stand-out contribution that led to her success.
Hayley, a P.E. teacher from Hertfordshire, channelled the power within her own personal story to come out via an assembly, making a significant impact in not just the school she teaches at but more widely as well.
The video she made combined LGBT+ History Month with football and was shown to pupils as far away as New Zealand. Hayley’s conversation with Jon is full of good advice for teachers and coaches who are either LGBTQ+ themselves or strong allies, and there are plenty of football anecdotes in there too, from cheering on her beloved Watford at Wembley to scoring against Arsenal in the FA Cup!
Also in this episode, we recap the launch of the 2023 FvH Month of Action which was held at Leicester City FC. Two of the event speakers - Ramsgate player Jahmal Howlett-Mundle and Wolves’ ED&I manager Gurpri Bains - pass on some useful tips that others can draw upon to make a difference in February and beyond.
Show your support! Activate the campaign in your football space - just head to footballvhomophobia.com for info, or contact the FvH team. And join us for the 2023 FvH Awards at the National Football Museum in Manchester on February 24!
Links
Miss Thompson PE on Twitter at @HWT_PE - https://twitter.com/HWT_PE
Watch Hayley’s original video - https://www.nonchalantmagazine.com/teacher-comes-for-lgbtq-history-month/
Her acceptance speech - https://www.hertsschoolsfa.co.uk/single-post/winner-fvh-hero-hayley-wood-thompson
Her op-ed on the Lionesses’ Euros win - https://inews.co.uk/opinion/womens-football-explode-euro-2022-generation-girls-talented-1768042
What happened at the Month of Action launch event (Sports Media LGBT+) - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/courage-is-celebrated-as-football-v-homophobia-month-of-action-2023-launches
FvH Awards Night tickets - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-v-homophobia-awards-night-tickets-510646215577
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
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Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
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At Chelsea's first three games of 2023 - and in the Manchester United vs Everton tie in the FA Cup - some fans have been heard singing a chant that's depressingly familiar - "Chelsea rent boys".
The Football v Homophobia campaign is determined to help dismantle this discriminatory chant. Helping host Jon Holmes of Sports Media LGBT+ to kick it into touch on this episode of the podcast are:
Jake, Jim and Sheep discuss how this chant and other instances of homophobic language have affected them and their friends in football down the years, and offer their thoughts on how to tackle the problem. There's advice for the authorities and for fans - whether LGBTQ+ or allies - who want to play their part in making the atmosphere at our stadiums more inclusive.
The first section of this episode does contain some homophobic words and phrases used in context as examples of discriminatory language.
Additional notes - Episode 20 of the FvH Podcast from August 2021 with Tracy Brown (Chelsea Pride) and Paul Amann (Kop Outs!); 'What is the 'Chelsea rent boy’ chant and why is it homophobic?' by Will Stroude for PinkNews (Jan 2023); and 'Chelsea rent boys' chant has no place in modern football - homophobia must be treated like racism' by Emma Smith for Goal.com (Feb 2022)
We need YOU! The nominations window for the fourth annual FvH Awards is open until 20 January 2023, with 11 categories in which to show your appreciation for the clubs, fan groups, county FAs and 'heroes' helping to make the game more LGBTQ+ friendly.
Jake, Jim and 'Sheep' discuss why it's so important to recognise and celebrate our communities - including, of course, our allies - and they select some of their own personal standouts from 2022. Don't forget to nominate! Awards Night will be at the National Football Museum in Manchester on February 24, 2023.
February is also the Month of Action! Get involved!
Thanks for listening - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too.
Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US
