Luke Ayling has been showing his support for the LGBTQ+ community as we celebrate the annual Rainbow Laces campaign at our dedicated fixture on Tuesday evening.
Leeds United’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace will highlight the importance of being inclusive always, ensuring that Elland Road welcomes everyone, no matter your sexual orientation, race or religion.
The popular defender wanted to get behind the campaign on behalf of the first-team squad and took the time to join a zoom call with Year 6 students at Whitecote Primary School in the lead up to the match.
The local youngsters had been taking part in one of the educational Rainbow Laces workshops being delivered by coaches from the Leeds United Foundation with the help of Marching Out Together member, Mark Umpleby.
During the call, pupils were able to ask Luke a number of key questions around how important it is to be an ally for those within the LGBTQ+ community to ensure they feel included and support them in the fight against any form of discrimination. He was able to help the students by speaking about personal experiences with members of his family who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, along with experiencing forms of discrimination himself and how he’s dealt with that.
Throughout the month of November, the Foundation were able to deliver these workshops to a number of schools across Leeds, including an exclusive presentation that looks at the subject of inclusivity, equality and stereotyping - breaking down what is important for youngsters to be aware of whilst they are growing up with regards to the LGBTQ+ community, including taking into account words that can be hurtful and how your words can affect the mental health of others. We are all humans and that is the most important thing to remember when thinking about the different choices we all make day to day.
As part of the educational sessions, the coaches also hosted Q and A sessions to allow the young pupils to ask any questions, ensuring they all felt comfortable enough to be inquisitive and speak openly about the topic that they may have previously been too afraid to speak about.
The sessions being delivered by the club’s official charity form part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, with coaches able to use the power of sport and Leeds United to engage children in important subject areas.
For more information around the work being done throughout the Leeds United Foundation on inclusion and supporting the LGBTQ+ community, please contact [email protected].
