Posted on 3rd September 2025
Fans for Diversity Network takes step forward
The FSA Fans for Diversity Network has taken a big step forward in supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in football with a session which brought together groups from across the country to share experiences, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities.
Over the past decade, with support from Pride in Football and Fans for Diversity, more than 50 LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups have formed.
Visibility has improved, awareness has grown, and campaigns have helped to shift the culture of the game. To build on these advances, our members are keen to support and collaborate.
Supporters received updates on current projects – including the popular My Club, My Shirt campaign – and talked through how a new, informal LGBTQ+ “hub” could work.
The Hub plans to enhance peer-to-peer support, facilitate club collaboration, and help drive change throughout the game. Whilst also promoting the benefits and areas of participation for LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups from being a member of the FSA and Fans for Diversity network.
This is a collective effort built by all of us, for all of us. It will complement the work of Pride in Football and add another strong, supportive strand to the wider LGBTQ+ supporters’ movement.
Together, we can strengthen LGBTQ+ supporter voices, improve inclusion across all levels of the game, and make football a place where everyone truly belongs.
Why now?
Because challenges remain. Many groups still feel isolated, under-supported, or struggle to form effective relationships with their clubs and community foundations. At the same time, the wider landscape is becoming more difficult:
- The UK has dropped to 22nd in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights, with trans rights under particular attack.
- Recent Kick It Out data shows that homophobic and transphobic incidents remain too high, both at matches and online.
- The UK Supreme Court recently ruled that legal gender is defined by biological sex, barring many trans people from using facilities matching their gender identity and taking part in football.
- Future World Cup tournaments in countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws raise major concerns for fan safety and inclusion.
The benefits
The new hub is designed to help LGBTQ+ supporter groups connect, grow, and amplify their voices. Benefits include:
- Access to Fans for Diversity funding, resources, and campaigns.
- Opportunities to shape wider football issues, such as ticket pricing.
- A mechanism for stronger regional alliances and links with clubs, SLOs, and EDI leads.
- Greater visibility through FSA platforms, training, and development.
- Peer-to-peer support and shared learning.
- Tools for new groups to get started and established groups to thrive.
- Support in campaign development.
What’s next?
This is just the start and we look forward to seeing where this leads. The FSA and Fans for Diversity will continue to consult with the informal hub on how it should run, with more gatherings planned in the future.
James Laley, FSA National Council member and Rainbow Blades chair: “We want supporters’ groups to feel empowered and connected. Whether big or small, new or established, all groups have equal opportunities and support to thrive. Driven by lived experience and the creativity of queer fans as well as complimenting the work of Pride in Football. Through support from the FSA and Fans for Diversity network, we hope this will only grow stronger through all of us contributing and staying connected. Let’s keep building on this momentum.”
Stephen Wignal, Marching Out Together chair: “This is about supporters helping supporters and as chair of Marching Out Together – I’m fully behind it.”
Connor Ffrench, Rainbow Rams chair: “I left the meeting feeling motivated and excited for what we can achieve at Derby moving forward. But more than that I felt proud. Proud to be part of something bigger than any one club. Proud of the impact this can have on our communities both LGBT and football.”
