Today we celebrate the LGBT+ community and the Rainbow Laces campaign as we take on West Ham United on home turf at Elland Road.

The match has been dedicated to the annual campaign and in the run up to the fixture the education team at the Leeds United Foundation have been delivering a series of workshops on the important topic of inclusion, with a real focus on Rainbow Laces and what the campaign represents.

To help support the delivery of the sessions, representatives from Marching Out Together, the LGBT+ Leeds United supporter group, were on hand to share their personal experiences and answer some questions from Year 6 students at Asquith Primary School.

Rebecca Heald, representative from Marching Out Together, said: “I really enjoyed taking part in the inclusion session, the children were actively involved and eager to ask questions and learn about how important it is to us to have Leeds United back such an important campaign. They were very respectful and even answered each other’s questions before we got the chance.

“Knowing that the club I have supported all my life, recognises and supports a campaign that raises awareness of inclusivity at all levels is so important to me. It fosters the feeling of a more inclusive environment for when myself and my family attend games and enables me to connect further with the passion I have for the game and the representation this brings to the LGBT community.”

Mark Umpleby, also a member of the Marching Out Together supporter group, added: “It was fantastic to be invited by the club to be part of the Primary Stars session talking about Rainbow Laces and also Marching Out Together. We had some really fantastic questions from the children and there was also lots of excitement about the game tonight.

“It’s vital that all children have access to LGBT+ inclusive education and it’s great that Leeds United and Marching Out Together could work together on this.”

Julia Hogan, Senior Participation Officer at the Leeds United Foundation who delivered the session at Asquith Primary School, also said: " It was such a pleasure to be able to work with Asquith Primary School to deliver some really strong messages around inclusivity.

"It is so important for children to hear about different stories from people in the LGBT+ community and to learn about how groups like Marching Out Together are on hand to support these people along with their club, Leeds United.

"The Rainbow Laces campaign is just one example of how sport can help to provide an inclusive environment and discussions around the challenges faced by those that are part of the LGBT+ community."

Supporters can still purchase their own pair of Rainbow Laces, to show they are allies of the LGBT+ community and that football is a sport for everyone. Click here for more information.