Leeds United's Sky Bet Championship fixture against Luton Town on Wednesday evening is dedicated to Stonewall's annual Rainbow Laces campaign, and to mark the occasion we have received a message from our friends at Marching Out Together.
From all of us at Marching Out Together – the Leeds United LGBTQ+ supporter's group – we would like to thank the club for their support tonight and their continued commitment to ensuring football is for everyone.
Although society is changing, much of the LGBTQ+ community still struggle to be their true selves while out-and-about and so occasions like this continue to be as important as ever.
Rainbow Laces is a campaign to raise awareness, with people asked to wear rainbow-coloured shoelaces to show their support towards the LGBTQ+ community. The campaign focuses on inclusion in sport and physical activity, but you can lace up proudly in support of the cause anywhere.
Members of Marching Out Together were delighted that a number of players from the Leeds United Women’s team recently enjoyed being photographed after their game at Elland Road, holding Marching Out Together scarves and flags – which is a wonderful message to young fans at the ground. But within the game players continue to face discrimination, especially through social media channels.
In the last few years, the support for Marching Out Together has grown within the Leeds United fanbase, and together with the club we have spread awareness that football should be for all, and that Leeds isn't truly United, unless everyone feels welcome.
This year the club have renewed their sponsorship of Leeds Pride, the Leeds United Foundation have helped us grow awareness through sessions with club staff and at local schools, we have been supported via the club’s media, retained our visible flag inside the ground, and they have helped to keep us safe with safeguarding and anti-discrimination measures displayed throughout the ground.
No Leeds fan should feel unwelcome at Elland Road, and while abusive chanting has not disappeared, we believe a real shift towards inclusivity is finally happening and we welcome everyone's support in that.
Real fans do not discriminate.
If you would like more information on the Rainbow Laces campaign, or if you would like to show your support and purchase your own pair of Rainbow Laces, please go to https://www.stonewall.org.uk.
We would like to encourage all Leeds fans who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and all straight allies, to show your support for inclusivity at Elland Road by joining Marching Out Together and signing up at https://www.marchingouttogether.co.uk/about.
