The Premier League plans to launch a new campaign focusing on LGBTQ+ inclusion, marking the end of their collaboration with Stonewall, the organization behind the well-known Rainbow Laces campaign.
Since its inception in 2013, Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign became a staple in English football, with Premier League players sporting rainbow laces and captains wearing rainbow armbands to advocate for acceptance and equality. This initiative aimed to champion LGBTQ+ rights and promote inclusivity amongst fans and the youth.
After more than ten years of collaboration, the league is set to spearhead its own initiative to align with LGBTQ+ History Month in February, as reported by The Telegraph.
A Stonewall representative explained to BBC Sport, “Rainbow Laces has thrived through a variety of partnerships, experiencing a natural ebb and flow with shifts in culture and sports.”
“The FA, along with other sports organizations, has been pivotal in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion at the grassroots level. Recently, the Women’s Super League has furthered this reach to more diverse audiences as the women’s game grows.”
Despite the strides made by Stonewall, recent figures from Kick It Out highlight a worrying rise in discriminatory incidents in football, including increased instances of sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse, with racism remaining the most common issue.
Controversies around players’ attitudes to rainbow armbands have also made headlines. Last season, Ipswich captain Sam Morsy declined to wear one due to religious beliefs, while Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi faced criticism for personalising his armband with the phrase “I Love Jesus.”
Additionally, Manchester United scrapped plans for LGBTQ+ support jackets after a player refused to participate.
With no openly gay or bisexual players currently in the Premier League, and the surge in discriminatory incidents, some question the timing of the split from Stonewall – an organisation highly respected for its work in LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Details of the Premier League’s new campaign are still under wraps, but as the league presses “reset,” there’s hope it will introduce a meaningful and effective initiative that advances equality rather than undermines it.
