Preston North End will be supporting Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign at tonight’s game against West Bromwich Albion.
AdvertisementThe campaign celebrates lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in football. It aims to use the power of football to make the game more accessible, enjoyable and welcoming to all supporters.
Rainbow-themed corner flags, substitution boards, captain’s armbands and laces will all be on show for the top of the table clash at Deepdale on Monday 2 December.
The West Brom game forms part of a two-week campaign led by Stonewall, a charity that campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain.
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The aim of this year’s campaign is to inspire fans with stories of LGBTQ+ people in sport, and to highlight the challenges they face.
A spokesperson for Preston North End Community and Education Trust said: “Last year’s Rainbow Laces campaign was seen by more than 12 million people, as the English Football League and Stonewall partnership continued to increase awareness around LGBTQ+ people in sport.
“It is vital for us to continue to support the LGBTQ+ community, with Stonewall research having shown that 43 per cent of people from their community think public sporting events aren’t a welcoming space.
“Even LGBTQ+ people who attend or play in sporting events on a frequent basis can still feel excluded. It’s important, therefore, that if someone tells you that they are LGBTQ+, that you tell them that you support them no matter what – because whether we’re cheering or competing, we are all at our best when we feel included.”
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What do you think of the Rainbow Laces campaign? Leave your messages of support for the LGBTQ+ community in the comments.