England Football Association launches anti-homophobia initiative

After its most recent initiative against homophobia in football flopped, the FA is trying again. We'll post on Gay Games Ambassador John Amaechi's reponse to the prelaunch video described below, but a viewer could be struck by the fact that representatives of the governing body of the sport treat the behavior of clubs and more important, supporters, as some sort of naturally occuring phenomenon that occurs independent of the FA itself:

The FA has released a brand new film around anti-Homophobia in Football ahead of announcing an action plan on the subject at Wembley Stadium next week.

The film features Brendon Batson and former FA Cup winner and England international John Scales, plus ex-Reading skipper Ady Williams who was capped 13 times by Wales.

Filmed in the dressing rooms at Wembley Stadium, the 30-minute discussion on tackling homophobia in the game has been made as football remembers Justin Fashanu’s birthday on 19 February and leads in to The FA’s action plan launch on Monday 20 February.

Last year saw The FA become one of the founding signatories on the Government’s Charter for Action in this area while all 20 Premier League clubs signed up at the start of this month.

Looking ahead to the Action Plan launch on Monday, FA Chairman, David Bernstein, commented: “Football’s response to combating racism has demonstrated that a collective approach with partners from inside and outside the football family is effective.

“We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that football remains accessible to all and to combat homophobic and transphobic abuse in the game.”

Home Office Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone added: "The whole world admires the skill and competitive drama on display in our football grounds but sometimes we also see the worst of intolerance and discrimination.

"That's why the government launched the Sports Charter last year. It's a rallying cry for all of us to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport.

“The FA were one of the founding signatories of this Charter and I am delighted to see them take forward their commitment to ensure football is a welcoming place for everyone.”

Anti-Homophobia in Football events continue next week with Kick It Out teaming up with Pride Sports for a panel discussion in Nottingham on 21 February.

The Panel see representation from both sides of the River Trent with Forest Chairman Frank Clark, and County’s Sam Sodje both in attendance.

Kick It Out’s Earl Barrett said: “I think if we can educate people about the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) presence in, and appetite for, football, then we’ll be taking a step in the right direction.”