From kickitout.org, info on an event co-sponsored by FGG-member Pride Sports Manchester:
Footballers, governing bodies and campaigners will descend on Manchester next week for a free conference debating homophobia in football at Sale’s Waterside Arts Centre.
On Thursday February 24, former Manchester City and Oldham Athletic star Earl Barrett and BBC pundit Mark Bright will spearhead a panel of guests to discuss the scope, scale and history of homophobic abuse in the game.
The event comes as part of the game’s commitment to LGBT History Month, running throughout February, where a range of activity celebrating gay and lesbian involvement in sport, is taking place.
Ex-England international Barrett, now working for Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion campaign, said: “During my playing days, challenging discrimination was mainly focused around racism. When I think back to what players such as Danny Wallace and John Barnes had to experience, things have certainly moved on.
“Nowadays, narrow-mindedness still exists on the terraces, in the boardroom and in the studio, as we’ve seen recently, and homophobia is a problem the game is slowly getting to grips with.
“There are no openly gay players, homophobic chanting exists, and so we need to dig deeper to examine why professional football remains unwelcoming to this community.”
Barrett and Bright will be joined by former Charlton Athletic winger and Professional Footballers Association (PFA) representative Michael Bennett, Jason McCauley from Village Manchester and Lou Englefield of Pride Sports.
Kicking off at 7pm, entrance is free and all are welcom
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