FA has teamed up with Stonewall to promote LGBT inclusive message during World Cup
The FA also gave permission for the Three Lions insignia to be designed with a rainbow flag
By Steve Brown
The Football Association has called for fans to spread an LGBT inclusive message during the World Cup.
England are set to play their first game of the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Tunisia today (June 18) and the FA has teamed up with LGBT+ charity Stonewall to promote inclusivity for everyone across the globe.
And in a tweet, the FA revealed the new campaign, which uses the caption: “We’re here, We cheer, we won’t live in fear.”
They captioned their tweet: “Supporting the LGBT+ community across the world #WorldCup2018”
LGBT+ inclusion has already been a talking point around the tournament due to Russia’s gay propaganda law which was introduced in 2013.
Supporting the LGBT+ community across the world 🏳️🌈 #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/HcZ3WeWjNC
— The FA (@FA) June 18, 2018
And already a man has been hospitalised following the opening match last Thursday in a horrific homophobic attack.
An FA spokesperson told Sky Sports: “The FA has collaborated with Stonewall, the UK’s largest lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) charity, to launch a shareable image in solidarity with LGBT+ Russians and LGBT+ football fans across the world.
“We are reaching out to fans to share the image to amplify English football’s support of LGBT+ inclusion across all levels of the game.”
The FA has also given the LGBT+ support group, Three Lions Pride, permission to redesign the Three Lions insignia which now features a rainbow flag to show their support for the LGBT community.
However, Di Cunningham, of the LGBT+ group, admitted she is anxious getting the design out in public.
She said: “I’ve got the England Three Lions banner with me with the rainbow lions and I ha ve been really hesitant getting it out because, you know, who knows.
“Because it’s got rainbows on it, it contravenes the 2013 gay propaganbda act which makes it illegal to promote untraditional relationships and clearly rainbow does.”
