Hibs showed their support for lesbian, gay, bi and trans players and fans by taking part in the Rainbow Laces campaign at last night’s Ladbrokes Premiership match against St Mirren.
Rainbow Laces is Stonewall Scotland’s campaign to change attitudes in sport and make sure that LGBT people are welcomed and accepted at all levels of the game.
Sadly, many lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people have a poor experience in sport and have experienced discrimination because of who they are. Research shows that almost half of LGBT people think that public sporting events, such as football matches, aren’t a welcoming space for them.
Colin Macfarlane, Director of Stonewall Scotland, said: “We are delighted that SPFL clubs are supporting our Rainbow Laces campaign, and by doing so, standing with LGBT football fans across Scotland.
“We want to see fans make similar commitments and become active allies to LGBT people by creating a welcoming environment and challenging abuse.
“Many LGBT people want to take part in football, either as players or fans, but abuse from a small minority makes many people feel unsafe. We look forward to working alongside the SPFL and clubs across Scotland to help make football everyone’s game.”
Club captain David Gray added his thoughts on the campaign, saying: “Everyone at the club is fully behind the Stonewall Scotland Rainbow Laces campaign and the message that it delivers about inclusiveness and equality in our game.
“We don’t have anyone who identifies as being gay or bi-sexual in our dressing room, but if we did, they would be welcomed in the group and treated no differently. We have guys of different religions, different backgrounds and different nationalities in our group and we are closely-knit, anyone regardless of their sexual orientation would also be welcomed.
“That is a big part of the history of this club – inclusiveness. It’s important that those values are upheld in the modern day which is why we’re backing the campaign.”
We can only stop homophobic, biphobic and transphobic behaviour and language from happening in football by showing that it is not acceptable, at every level of the game. We are dedicated to eradicating any forms of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic behaviour and making sure Hibernian Football Club is a place where LGBT fans can be safe and accepted. We need you to stand with us as allies to LGBT people.
Follow Stonewall Scotland using @StonewallScot and get involved in the conversation on Twitter via #RainbowLaces. Find out more about Stonewall Scotland at www.stonewallscotland.org.uk
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
