Leeds United’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening will be dedicated to Stonewall’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign, as we show our ongoing support for all LGBTQ+ people in football and beyond.
Stonewall continue to empower the LGBTQ+ community, allowing them to be their authentic selves and enabling them to realise their full potential and that is something we must support together.
The theme for this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign is recognising the importance of allyship and encouraging people to speak up on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Leeds United along with the Premier League and all other clubs are using the power of sport to help people engage in meaningful conversation and show the importance of being inclusive always.
There will be branding visible around Elland Road tomorrow night including a branded ball plinth and handshake boards, rainbow armbands for the two captains and the first-team players will also be wearing exclusive t-shirts to show their support for the campaign during the warm-up - these will also be worn by the Under-23s ahead of their game tonight against Manchester City.
The club have also celebrated the campaign in the lead up to the match with various activities, including a special segment on the Official Leeds United podcast with Patrick Bamford and Stephen Wignal from Marching Out Together, along with Luke Ayling taking part in an online session around Rainbow Laces with the Leeds United Foundation and students from Whitecote Primary School.
The first Rainbow Laces campaign took place in 2013 and since then it has continued to send out a message of acceptance and hope as we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and remember that football and sport in general is for everyone.
For more information on the campaign or if you would like to purchase your own pair of Rainbow Laces in support, please visit https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/rainbow-laces.