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Club News

City showing its pride

18 September 2013

Club News

City showing its pride

18 September 2013

The Bantams have made huge strides over the past six years to become LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) inclusive and challenge what is seen as homophobia and anti-gay in football. 


Now the club are set on further supporting the gay community by permanently flying the rainbow flag - a symbol which represents gay pride - at the Coral Windows Stadium on a match-days from this season.


The flag is situated at towards the back of Block A in the club's Main Stand and has been raised for every one of City's Sky Bet League 1 home fixtures so far this 2013/2014 campaign.


A spokesperson for City said:“Bradford City F.C prides itself on being inclusive to all and welcomes participants and spectators to the stadium whatever their social background, colour, religion or sexual orientation.  We are happy to fly the flag as an indication we are an open and inclusive club.”

 

Lindsay England, founder of LGBT campaign organisation JUST A BALL GAME? and lifelong supporter of the Bantams, added:"The club has been active for a number of years now against homophobia and discrimination, and this is a great way to show  how inclusive they are for LGBT fans of football. 


"With this flag the club shows they are giving a hugely visible sign that these issues have great importance at Bradford City and are working hard on them, and welcoming a local LGBT community.


“A number of our partner organisations and patrons have backed the initiative and said it is a great message to send out to LGBT supporters of the club and also for the football world, now we await to see if other professional  and non-league teams followed suit.”


- Kieron Brady remembers scoring a goal at Valley Parade as a teenager. He gave the thumbs up to City by adding:“A big well done to all who made this happen at Bradford City. Clubs need to be committed on an on-going basis, both in a social sense and in capacity as employer.”cici.org.ukJust a Ball Game? patron - former Sunderland player and now head of Equality and Hate Crime experts

On a similar theme, gay rights charity Stonewall is urging all footballers across the country to wear special rainbow laces in their boots during matches this weekend. The aim is to try and change people's attitude towards individuals who are gay.

Stonewall deputy chief executive Laura Doughty said: "It's time for football clubs and players to step up and make a visible stand against homophobia in our national game.

"By wearing rainbow laces, players will send a message of support to gay players and can begin to drag football into the 21st Century." 


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