Monday 19th November, 2018 at 5:06pm
Partick Thistle Football Club is delighted to be showing our support for lesbian, gay, bi and trans players and fans by wearing Rainbow Laces at our Ladbrokes Championship match against Queen of the South on December 1st.
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.”
Partick Thistle Football Club Chief Executive, Gerry Britton, said:
“There is no place for discrimination of any kind within Partick Thistle Football Club and as a Club we are very proud to be part of this campaign. Football really is a beautiful game and, even though it is a cliché, it can be a universal language that everyone can identify with. We should be using football and sport more broadly to break down barriers and show how inclusiveness is the only way forward.
“We are continuing to work with The Proud Jags to ensure that The energy Check stadium at Firhill is a safe and welcoming environment for all of our supporters.”
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 Partick Thistle 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.
Find out more at www.stonewall.org.uk/rainbowlaces
