Take Your Place in the Beautiful Game: Second Annual Football v Homophobia Initiative

For anti-homophobia advocates, the latter half of 2010 felt like a match decided in PKs: suspenseful, eventful, and outrageous. After a summer defined by the drama and pageantry of the World Cup, things went back to business as usual, and the usual business is telling homosexual players and fans that there’s no place for them in the beautiful game.

In November, Croatian Football Federation President Vlatko Markovic said it, and in December, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it. In both high-profile cases, the officials were heavily criticized and forced to apologize.

Apologies accepted, sirs – but with a caveat: it’s time for the world of football to accept its LGBT players and fans.

January 19, 2011 will be the second annual Football v Homophobia Initiative, an international day opposing homophobia in football (soccer). Organized by The Justin Campaign, the Initiative has already generated massive global interest, and was observed in eight countries in its first year.

Campaign Director Darren Ollerton hopes to build on this momentum. “As demonstrated by the narrow-minded comments from football industry officials recently, we have a long way to go in terms of nurturing an environment in both grassroots and professional football where sexuality becomes a non-issue,” Ollerton wrote to the group’s Facebook followers. “However, over the last twelve months some incredibly diverse organisations have emerged, facilitating a dense network of people globally who have ensured that homophobia in football is definitely on the public agenda.”

The Initiative offers a fun and easy way for all people to express their disapproval of homophobia in football, and it’s not limited to players. While many individuals and groups observe the event with an exhibition match, there are many other ways to participate as well.

The Justin Campaign organizers urge all supporters to blog, Tweet, and Facebook the event. Use your lists. Tell your league, your friends, your colleagues. Request promotional materials, such as posters, flyers, banners and stickers by emailing info@thejustincampaign.com, and disseminate them throughout your networks. Use the Football v Homophobia Initiative pre-designed email signature to include in your email communications, and download a pre-written letter to send to your local politicians (both available soon on the new Initiative site at http://www.footballvhomophobia.co.uk/). Submit your event proposals before January 19 to be included on the site, and send in your event photos and stories afterwards. Fund raise.

In 2010, the actions taken on behalf of football’s top governing bodies spoke as loud as the words of the game’s top officials. But the people also have a voice, and the Initiative is a way to unify our message: homophobia has no place in the people’s game. Participate in Football v Homophobia 2011.

Keph Senett is a Canadian writer living in Mexico who’s proudly played soccer on four continents. You can read more from her at kephsenett.com. She’s the Communications Officer for The Justin Campaign.

Ed. Note: This article was originally published on Red Card Homophobia.

Positive action

Regular readers of this blog will be well aware of the actions of Augustine Makalakalane.

The former coach of the South African women's team was suspended after allegations of sexual abuse and homophobia were levelled against him by some Banyana Banyana players.

The South African Football Association has now confirmed that the investigation against Makalakalane will be a "matter of urgency".

The fact it has taken until the coach's contract had expired for Safa CEO Leslie Sedibe to make these comments must be put down to legal reasons.

But at least it is progress on the issue and a sign that allegations of homophobia are beginning to be taken seriously worldwide.

We only hope that, if the evidence warrants it, the full penalty is applied to a man who apparently said he only wanted “straight ladies in his team".

Third Justin Fashanu Cup deemed great success

Dozens of footballers united in a tournament which was truly representative of all aspects of the beautiful game.

Twelve teams from across the south of England took part in the the third annual Justin Fashanu Cup.

The invitational tournament, which was organised by the Justin Campaign, saw both men and women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community all participating.

The event was also a protest against the decision of Fifa to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively - countries which have appalling records on homophobia.

The highlight of the weekend event in Hove was a six-a-side tournament.

Despite the wintry weather, which forced a number of teams to pull out, nine men's teams and three women's teams took part in the indoor competition.

BN Elite won the men's tournament and The Tigers won the female competition.

On the Saturday evening, all the teams gathered to take part in a table football competition and enjoyed an evening of live music.

Jason Hall, founder of the Justin Campaign said: "It was a terrific event. One which was truly representative of all people who love football.

"It was brilliant to see so many people enjoy themselves while promoting such an important issue.

"With the Fifa announcement it was also right that we brought to attention the awful human rights records of both Russia and Qatar and the effect it would have on members of the LGBT community who may want to travel to be spectators at this event."

The tournament will now become a travelling competition with the next event likely to be held in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

For more pictures stay tuned to the blog or see our Flickr page.

It's not just for men

Homophobia in sport is something which affects the whole of the LGBT community.

One of the most frequently asked questions to the Justin Campaign is if we represent the lesbian, bisexual and trans community.

Our view is simple: This is not just about campaigning for one group in society, it is about making football more accessible to everyone.

This is because bigotry and discrimination is apparent at all levels and across the world.

Just take a look at this example.

Augustine Makalakalane, the coach of the South African women's football team, is the subject of claims that he sexually assaulted two of his players.

Several members of the team, which clearly does not respect the man leading them, also claim the 46-year-old said he only wanted “straight ladies in his team”.

The reasons behind these allegations will no doubt come out in due course as the officials investigate.

Following the comments of Croatian FA boss Markovic, once again we are seeing a nation which has relied on sport to give it a sense of independence fail itself on equality grounds.

In a country still recovering from the apartheid regime, football in South Africa has been a uniting movement culminating successfully in this summer's World Cup.

Many of the officials heading the game have witnessed discrimination first hand, which is why it is so shocking to hear such claims coming from members of the women's national team.

If it turns out that these allegations are true then we hope the South African FA take the right steps and remove Makalakalane from his post and, if the crimes are bad enough, ban him from the game.

A hollow apology

Just wanted to reflect on the apology statement made by Vlatko Markovic, the president of the Croatian football association.

The misguided figurehead caused enormous controversy when he told a newspaper that he would "certainly" not permit a gay player on the Croatian national team.

But, after facing the wrath of LGBT groups including the Justin Campaign, a few days later Markovic apologised for the comments.

His statement on the association's website said: "It was not my intention whatsoever to insult or hurt anyone. I have nothing against members of any minority, least of all against those of same-sex orientation.
"Once again, I apologize to all those who were hurt."

While it must be welcomed that an apology has been made, it must be asked if Markovic really means what is attributed to him.

Do people's view really change at the click of the fingers?

On the surface this appears to be a manufactured view which was initiated not by the official but by backroom staff in a public affairs exercise.

If he had really meant it, then surely a more public apology would have been made.

Whatever happened behind the scenes we must hope that actually the Croatian FA, and other footballing authorities, have learned from this ugly episode and, instead of its officials spouting bigoted soundbites, work will be done to promote the sport to all members of society.

Ultimately, this would mean more to fans and players than a well-thought out public affairs exercise.

Football v Homophobia 2011 is upon us!

Last year, the initiative was observed in eight countries!! Football matches and tournaments sprang up all over the globe with fans and communities everywhere uniting under the banner of “Football v Homophobia” for the first ever;

International day opposing homophobia in football.

This year it’s going to get bigger, better, louder and prouder than before.

This post outlines some of the ways that you, your club, team or organisation can celebrate "Football v Homophobia".

Don’t forget to get in touch with The Justin Campaign to request promotional materials, such as posters, flyers, banners and stickers to promote your event effectively.

Our brand new spanking "Football v Homophobia" website is due to be launched in the next few weeks, contact us before January 19^th 2011 to get your event listed and then send us your stories and images afterwards for everyone to see!

See below, keep us informed and have a great day!

The Justin Campaign team.

Football v Homophobia 2011.

Football v Homophobia is as much about having fun as it is about demonstration and protest. We want the world to know that the global LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) community is as much a part of the beautiful game as anyone else (and if they don't believe us.... we can give them a good game to prove it!)

Organise a match or even a tournament in your local area! Contact your local newspapers/radio stations/football clubs/football authorities and get them involved!

Get everyone involved!!

Circulate news of "Football v Homophobia" to other football teams/community groups/colleges/universities/local government/politicians in the area.

Blog us, Tweet us, Facebook us, Use our pre-designed email signature to include in your email communications (downloadable from our website)

Tell your friends, your relatives, your colleagues, your boss and anyone that will listen!

Our Media & Communications Team are on call to give you advice & guidance on what to say and who to say it to!

Two left feet?

If you aren't the playing type but are a dedicated fan then assert your right to enjoy a football match without being intimidated by torrents of homophobic abuse from others and vocalise your support for your teams players that are subjected to such abuse on a weekly basis.

If you're not into Football, so what? Homophobia is an issue for everyone and therefore, tackling homophobia in football will have a positive impact on wider society!

Download our pre-written letter and send it to your local politician demanding more pressure be put on football authorities to end homophobia in football.

Organise a raffle, a quiz, a sponsored bike ride, a sponsored swim, a sponsored walk even! All donations will be put directly back into the development of "Football v Homophobia."

Make it interesting! Make it Diverse!

Football v Homophobia is about uniting all communities, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, disability and background in opposing homophobia in the game, so contact other community football teams, such as teams from different ethnic backgrounds, teams that may have disabilities or other teams from leagues in your area and involve them in your plans.

Tell us about you! Tell us about what your doing!

Send in your plans, your stories, your details and your pictures by January 19^th 2011 and we will showcase everyone’s hard work on the "Football v Homophobia" website.

Find out more about Football v Homophobia 2010.

For general information contact us at info@thejustincampaign.com

To contact our media team for advice and guidance on promoting your observance contact:

tim@thejustincampaign.com

For Corporate sponsor details or official endorsement enquiries contact:

darren@thejustincampaign.com