The Rainbow Laces campaign has been around for almost 10 years and was first started by Stonewall UK. Since then, clubs throughout the football pyramid have taken part in raising awareness and visibility for LGBTQ+ in sport. The “Lace up and Keep It Up” campaign has kicked off and several teams in the Premier League have already pledged their support this weekend but it does not stop there.
From the Liverpool Women’s and Youth Football League, Pilkington Women are also dedicating their game on Sunday to Rainbow Laces week. Last year, the club got several players to share about their experiences as an LGBTQ+ athlete and the tradition continues into 2022.
“Pilks” forward, Carla Landers who identifies as a lesbian woman has always been open from a young age to her group of friends. Like many, she feels there is still a long way to go in terms of inclusivity within the sport.
“I feel although certain gay rights have progressed, there is still a lot of issues surrounding gender identity and fluidity as well as a growing platform for transphobia,” she explained. “I believe everything begins with education. People with different opinions are quick to shut down campaigns as they don’t allow themselves to empathise and to empathise, you must understand.”
Her teammate, Luna Fenlon shared similar sentiments of the campaign’s importance. “It shows that people who are in or support the LGBTQ+ community are just normal people and should not be seen or treated differently.”
Landers has been one of the lucky ones. She proudly recounts her experience of coming out, telling her family, who were brought up in a time when LGBTQ+ topics were taboo. “To have a family member who is openly comfortable and expressive of their sexuality and gender identity took a lot of education and understanding but they got there in the end!”
The LGBTQ+ community has been more acceptable in women’s football than the men’s game. According to Stonewall UK, 43% of fans believe lesbian and bisexual women are welcome whereas only 40% would accept gay and bisexual men in competitive sport. While there’s no definitive Francis Wight, who plays for an LGBTQ+ team called Mersey Marauders, feels the celebration of Rainbow Laces is always a step forward.
“It can have a huge impact. Football can be an overly macho and heteronormative environment, so seeing a symbol of LGBT+ inclusion can be transformative for people,” he said. “Rainbow Laces has been a unifying campaign to demonstrate to LGBT+ football fans across the country that we belong in the game.”
In celebration of #RainbowLaces, @merseymfc played an #LFCFoundation staff team in a friendly 🤝 A very close game ended 4-3 in favour of the Foundation! 🙌
We'd like to thank everyone who took part ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0akaZqyZiV
— LFC Foundation (@LFCFoundation) October 28, 2022
The campaign will last through to the 31st of October where many players will sport the rainbow laces on their boots to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the progress, both Landers and Wight, feel clubs and governing bodies need to do more to tackle homophobia and transphobia not just one week of the year, but all through the calendar.
