Taking a Stand: Sexualities and sport participation

This project aims to officially unite The Justin Campaign and The University of Brighton as ‘neighbours’ in a partnership concerned with physical activity and sport participation. In particular, the project, through two key events, seeks to raise awareness of the Charter for Action, the work of The Justin Campaign, the negative impact of homophobia and transphobia in sport and most importantly, the positive dimensions of sport and physical activity for often-marginalised LGBT groups and individuals.

* UPDATE *

Taking a Stand: Sexualities and Sport Participation

Football 4 Peace, the University of Brighton and the Justin Campaign are working together to raise awareness of homophobia in football. The Justin Campaign was founded to demonstrate that ten years after Justin Fashanu took his own life in 1998, homophobia is still hugely prevalent in both grassroots and professional football.

Together they developed a ‘Festival of Football’ on held at the beginning of May 2012 which was run in line with F4P’s value of ‘equity and inclusion’.  12 teams of seven players participated in the inaugural Justin Student Football Festival. The event, organised by student volunteers from Chelsea School of Sport Football 4 Peace project, aimed to celebrate the courage of the UK’s first and only out gay professional footballer: Justin Fashanu.  Students and staff played for the coveted ‘Fair Play’ award, which was won in the end by Grimey Mimeys (see photo below of three of the team)

Along with raising awareness the campaign has a strong focus on Art, Events, Education as well as football. Art installations tackling the issues were displayed and the Festival was then followed by a one day symposium on campaigning against homophobia in football and sport hosted by the Chelsea School of Sport.

The Football Festival was a part of our seed funded project, which also includes a ‘Campaigning for Change Symposium’ also held in early May.  Both events aimed to raise awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport, especially in football. At the symposium, speakers from PrideSport, the Rugby Football League, the Football Association and The Justin Campaign presented on current initiatives and panels discussed the inclusion of Black and Ethnic Minority LGBT as well as transgender participants and transphobia. Both events were very well supported by students, staff and people from outside organisations.

click here for a full description of the project

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