A little off track from our usual blogging, just had to write a few words about this article.
Fantastic.
It highlights two of the campaign's favourite themes united in one news story: equality and grassrooots campaigning.
Ireland has long been a bastion of Roman Catholicism and the fact that a gay man is even in the running for the President is a real sign that the country is close to shedding its conservative tag.
Add the fact that Senator David Norris only put himself forward after garnering support on social network site Facebook, it is proof that the age of the internet means any campaign can snowball into real change.
The Justin Campaign is a grassroots movement, one that has grown through mediums such as facebook and twitter.
We are committed to ensuring that, in Senator Norris' words, sexuality becomes a "non-issue".
If Ireland votes a gay man to become president then surely eradicating homophobia from football is not too far away...
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Monday, 18 October 2010
The ugly game
Fans of international football will no doubt be aware of the crowd trouble at the Italy - Serbia game last week.
Quite what the cause behind the hatred was is still not clear. But the spiteful, thuggish and tribal nature of the violence sums up why all members of society - not just members of the LGBT community -feel threatened by football.
The fact that some of this hate was directed at their own goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic surley indicates these were mindless vandals far right-wing activists rather than football fans.
It would not be wrong to assume the same people lighting flares were among those clashing with police at the recent gay pride march in Belgrade.
The losers from this violence will be the Serbian FA and its football team. They will be the ones punished with a hefty fine and possible exclusion from the championship.
It is up to the authorities to take control and prosecute some of these violent troublemakers to preserve the sport's reputation.
Look at the UK in the 1980s - it is possible.
But until Serbia - and other countries in former Eastern Bloc - do this the beautiful game will continue to be described as the ugly game by a large number.
Quite what the cause behind the hatred was is still not clear. But the spiteful, thuggish and tribal nature of the violence sums up why all members of society - not just members of the LGBT community -feel threatened by football.
The fact that some of this hate was directed at their own goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic surley indicates these were mindless vandals far right-wing activists rather than football fans.
It would not be wrong to assume the same people lighting flares were among those clashing with police at the recent gay pride march in Belgrade.
The losers from this violence will be the Serbian FA and its football team. They will be the ones punished with a hefty fine and possible exclusion from the championship.
It is up to the authorities to take control and prosecute some of these violent troublemakers to preserve the sport's reputation.
Look at the UK in the 1980s - it is possible.
But until Serbia - and other countries in former Eastern Bloc - do this the beautiful game will continue to be described as the ugly game by a large number.
Ignorance Isn't Bliss For Sochaux Player
While it's disappointing to hear the homophobic comments made by Sochaux player Marvin Martin, it's good to see that he hasn't been allowed to get away with them. Martin has been forced to apologise which is positive, at least!
Friday, 8 October 2010
Best goal ever?
For those of you who haven't seen this goal I have posted it below.
It was 1980 and Justin Fashanu had secured a first-team spot in the Norwich City first team.
This tremendous effort against Liverpool shot him to national fame after it was voted the Goal of the Season.
Sit back and enjoy.
It was 1980 and Justin Fashanu had secured a first-team spot in the Norwich City first team.
This tremendous effort against Liverpool shot him to national fame after it was voted the Goal of the Season.
Sit back and enjoy.
Football vs Homophobia 2011
Hello all.
After a wee while (ok maybe a bit longer) of not updating this blog we're back.
Last night was our second planning meeting for football vs homophobia and I can promise that this year's will be bigger and better than the last.
Already there are some very promising signs of support from the footballing authorities and representative bodies. With their backing it is chance for February 19 - the birthday of Justin Fashanu, our figurehead - to be an important date in the footballing calender. It is our hope that teams, players, and fans can unite under this banner to ensure football can truly and sincerely be called the beautiful game.
We are always looking for people to become involved in football vs homophobia. For further details please email us on info@justincampaign.com.
After a wee while (ok maybe a bit longer) of not updating this blog we're back.
Last night was our second planning meeting for football vs homophobia and I can promise that this year's will be bigger and better than the last.
Already there are some very promising signs of support from the footballing authorities and representative bodies. With their backing it is chance for February 19 - the birthday of Justin Fashanu, our figurehead - to be an important date in the footballing calender. It is our hope that teams, players, and fans can unite under this banner to ensure football can truly and sincerely be called the beautiful game.
We are always looking for people to become involved in football vs homophobia. For further details please email us on info@justincampaign.com.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Brighton holds Alternative World Cup
 Justin Fashanu All-Stars Women's Team |
Last month the Justin Fashanu All-Stars took part in Brighton’s very own Alternative World Cup. The football tournament was organised by local residents and members of the Cowley Club, a collectively run social centre situated on the London Road.
The women’s All-Stars team got all the way to the final, beating tournament favourites The Comets in the semi-finals after extra-time. However, the All-Stars were ultimately defeated in the final by the “World Cup Six”, courtesy of a dramatic late winner.
Overall, eight women’s and eight men’s team took part with post-match festivities taking place at the Coachwerks community arts centre in Hollingdean where the teams watched England get their World Cup campaign underway against the USA.
For more information view:
www.thejustincampaign.com
By Scott Hart
Jul 6, 2010
Saturday, 24 July 2010
The Justin Fashanu All-Stars triumphed in the first-ever Justin Campaign Football Tournament in Nottingham. The competition, which was organised by the Brighton-based organisation in association with The University of Nottingham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning (LGBTQ) Staff Network, involved eight male teams and seven female teams from around the UK. It was also the first time Nottingham had hosted a football tournament with both gay and non-gay teams participating.
A spokesman for the team said:
"The All-Stars men’s team worked hard throughout the tournament, which was sponsored by Groundworks, a Greater Nottingham organisation that works with young people, and eventually came out on top, lifting the trophy after beating Jamie’s Team. Real Sparta won the women’s tournament, with Spartalona taking the runners-up spot.
"As well the football competition, various LGBT organisations such as the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham Rainbow Heritage and the University of Nottingham Staff Networks, all took part in a stalls fair.
"The All-Stars were particularly delighted to win their first trophy in Nottingham, as Justin Fashanu himself had endured a very difficult time there in his spell with Nottingham Forest. However, the tournament was very much about moving forward and changing the landscape of football rather than dwelling on the past.
"Overall, over £230 was raised for the Justin Campaign who would like to thank Claire Henson and Julie Bennett in particular for their incredible work in organising the competition.
"The tournament will take place again next year but in the meantime, the All-Stars are looking for more players to join their ranks and don the famous pink shirts."
Anyone interested in joining should email:
info@thejustincampaign.com
A spokesman for the team said:
"The All-Stars men’s team worked hard throughout the tournament, which was sponsored by Groundworks, a Greater Nottingham organisation that works with young people, and eventually came out on top, lifting the trophy after beating Jamie’s Team. Real Sparta won the women’s tournament, with Spartalona taking the runners-up spot.
"As well the football competition, various LGBT organisations such as the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottingham Rainbow Heritage and the University of Nottingham Staff Networks, all took part in a stalls fair.
"The All-Stars were particularly delighted to win their first trophy in Nottingham, as Justin Fashanu himself had endured a very difficult time there in his spell with Nottingham Forest. However, the tournament was very much about moving forward and changing the landscape of football rather than dwelling on the past.
"Overall, over £230 was raised for the Justin Campaign who would like to thank Claire Henson and Julie Bennett in particular for their incredible work in organising the competition.
"The tournament will take place again next year but in the meantime, the All-Stars are looking for more players to join their ranks and don the famous pink shirts."
Anyone interested in joining should email:
info@thejustincampaign.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
