Rainbow Owls show benefit of Fans for Diversity fund

Last week the Rainbow Owls, Sheffield Wednesday’s LGBT+ supporter group, held an event at Hillsborough that showcased the benefits of the Fans for Diversity fund – and fan groups can apply for their own funding here.

The event was an LGBT+ fans and allies conference bringing together supporters from across Sheffield Wednesday and the wider football family to discuss critical LGBT+ supporter issues.

Featuring guest speakers there was a panel discussion which brought together supporter groups, charities, NGOs and local service providers.

Our LGBTQ+ football panel with @Mikeyconnor94 @TTTonner @kianwardgk @joeywh1te was recorded by @proud_change! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️⚽

Their co-founder, @LucyS_Speaks, was a technological star on Thursday & we can’t wait for our #swfc podcast to be released next month in association with #FFD! 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/chMrXtQITu

— Rainbow Owls (@LGBT_Owls) October 8, 2024

The event was made possible by funding provided by the Fans for Diversity fund – a fund that can provide small grants to supporter groups to help create events, projects or even get their group off the ground.

Rainbow Owls chair and founder Chris Ledger said: “It all went really smoothly and, judging from some very positive feedback from various people, everybody really enjoyed themselves.

“It was regarded as a big success by key LGBTQ+ football figures, such as James Laley, Jon Holmes and Joe White!”

Fans For Diversity is a campaign programme run in partnership between the Football Supporters’ Association and Kick It Out, English football’s equality and inclusion organisation. Fans For Diversity encourages, funds and supports initiatives by fan groups to promote diversity and inclusion in football, and to challenge all forms of discrimination.

For more information on funding available from the campaign, contact Nilesh Chauhan or Hannah Kumari.