Leeds United’s Premier League fixture against Fulham will be dedicated to Stonewall’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign, as we continue to show our commitment to supporting all LGBTQ+ people in football and beyond.

This year’s Rainbow Laces campaign message is that ‘inclusion has no off-season’ with the hopes of encouraging everyone to play their part by holding conversations and discussions about what we can all do to support and empower LGBTQ+ communities and make sport part of everybody’s game.

There will be branding visible around Elland Road including a branded ball plinth, handshake board and subs board, along with rainbow armbands for the two captains and badges for the players and staff. Both sets of players will also be wearing warm-up t-shirts from the Love Unites range launched by adidas earlier this week. The House of Tiro x Pride collection has been made in collaboration with Kris Small and includes a jersey, jacket and tracksuit bottoms all available to purchase online or in store.

The club have also celebrated the campaign in the lead up to the match with various activities delivered by the club, Academy, and the Leeds United Foundation. Brenden Aaronson and Rebekah Bass both took part in an educational LGBTQ+ workshop with the RTC programme at Leeds Beckett University, with these workshops being delivered across all programmes throughout the season.

Stephen Wignal from Marching Out Together acted as the special guest for the Leeds United Podcast once again, and members from Marching Out Together have been invited by the club to hold their flags at the side of the pitch ahead of kick-off today.

Since the first Rainbow Laces campaign took place in 2013, over a million people have laced up in support of LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, with the ongoing message of acceptance and hope as we celebrate all LGBTQ+ people and allies and remember that football and sport in general is for everyone. It is important to remember that the commitment shouldn’t end when the Rainbow Laces campaign finishes – promoting equality, diversity and inclusion is a year-round priority for the club and the Premier League.

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.