TUC launches toolkit for unions to tackle homophobia in football

date: 27 January 2015
embargo: 00.01hrs Wednesday 28 January 2015

A toolkit designed to stamp out homophobia in football is being launched today (Wednesday) by the TUC as part of a concerted action by unions and their allies.

The toolkit is to help unions challenge the prejudice faced by many LGBT people in football and wider sport. It was written and designed by members of the TUC alliance against homophobia and transphobia in football in association with The Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Just a Ball Game! – a campaign which challenges homophobia and promotes LGBT participation in sport.

The toolkit includes practical ideas and advice for union members on how they can best tackle homophobia at club level and what kind of resources they may need.

The toolkit will be launched at the TUC’s headquarters by Frances O’Grady, the TUC General Secretary, with members of the alliance including Gordon Taylor from the PFA, Maria Exall, chair of the TUC LGBT committee, and Lindsay England from Just a Ball Game! The launch is also being supported by Stonewall, the Gay Football Supporters’ Federation and the Inclusion Adviser at the Football Association.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

”Unions are continuing to do outstanding work promoting equality at work and in society in general. This toolkit will help them reinforce the message that there is absolutely no place for homophobia in football or indeed any kind of sport.

“Union activists have used this approach at a number of professional clubs in the past and we want to build on those successes.”

The event will take place at 1pm at TUC headquarters, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS.

Photographers and journalists are invited to attend and photos of the launch will also be available from the TUC after the event. To register a photographer or to request an interview, please contact the press office.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC alliance toolkit Tackling Homophobia in Football can be found at http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality-issues/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-rights/tackling-homophobia-football

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews
 

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Alex Rossiter  T: 0207 467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07876 452902  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Clare Santry  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: csantry@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal     T: 020 7467 1385  katwal@tuc.org.uk