The Justin Campaign Tackle Homophobia With An International Day Against Homophobia In Football
Posted: 21st Jan 2010 Author: Michelle Penny Topics: Activism, Homophobia
The Justin Campaign, which was founded in 2008, ten years after the tragic suicide of footballer Justin Fashanu who killed himself after the bullying he suffered being the only out top level gay footballer, has announced there will be an international day against homophobia in football on the 19th February.
Hoping that the day will act to highlight the huge issue there is concerning homophobia in the world of football, The Justin Campaign are encouraging national clubs to adopt the campaign’s logo for the day, as well promote anti-homophobia message to help spread the message.
Alongside this there will also be a number of grass roots events occuring with community football teams in both the UK and Europe planning to hold football matches and fun events under the banner of Football v Homophobia.
The extent of the problem with homophobia in football was highlighted last year via research carried out by Stonewall who discovered that homophobic abuse was heard by fans at the majority of matches, but is equally apparent by the fact that more than ten years after the death of Fashanu the world of professional football has not see any other players comes out as either bi or gay.
And Darren Ollerton, campaign director for The Justin Campaign doesn’t believe that the work done will act to only benefit football, but instead society as a whole saying “it’s not just about football, it’s about tackling homophobia in one of the country’s biggest instituitons, and in doing so, communicating a zero tolerance attitude to our nation and ultimately the world”.
The Football V Homophobia day will see The Justin Campaign stage an opening ceremony in Brighton before then sending their campaigning football team to play in Norwich as a tribute to Justin who began his career there.
You can learn more about the campaign and how to take part at The Justin Campaign website.
