Earlier this month, we came together to support Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign, marking the continued importance the LGBTQ+ community has on football and beyond.
We celebrated the campaign officially at our men's win over Manchester United on 4th December, as we were joined pitch side by Jacob and Jonny from Gay Gooners, and at our women's win over Aston Villa on 8th December, where we chatted to Becca and Jade from Arsenal Women's Supporters Club.
Both groups shared how they found a sense of belonging at Arsenal, and the importance of our continued support for LGBTQ+ campaigns like Rainbow Laces.
Matchdays also featured our 'LOVE IS LOVE' banner, rainbow goal-waving flags, and rainbow pyrotechnics, with both Martin Odegaard and Leah Williamson sporting the rainbow armband on pitch, in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
Rainbow Laces
Arsenal in the Community has taken an active role in providing LGBTQ+ education and tackling homophobia. Our community team are trained by Stonewall to deliver LGBTQ+ awareness sessions, and this year delivered engaging workshops to community groups about creating safe and supportive spaces.
With Gay Gooners, we are proud to have the first and the largest LGBTQ+ supporter group in England, with over two thousand of members in the UK and beyond. Our supporters club exists to unite LGBTQ+ Arsenal supporters and allies at both home and away fixtures, providing a safe and welcoming space for all. Gay Gooners also represents us during the annual London Pride parade every summer.
Everyone in the Arsenal family can make a difference by having conversations, listening to others, understanding the stigma that still surrounds the LGBTQ+ community and calling out discriminatory behaviour when we see it. We should all feel welcome to be a Gooner.
As stewards of our club and our values, we ask supporters at Emirates Stadium to report any form of discrimination and abuse by texting 67777 with their block, row and seat number.
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