Just a short message to wish all our supporters, volunteers and partners a happy New Year from all of us here at the Justin Campaign.
Looking ahead to 2012, we want to make sure that we build on the firm footing that has been established in the fight against homophobia in football.
In particular we are looking forward to:
1) Building on the success of Football v Homophobia 2011 to make the 2012 event on February 19 bigger and better;
2) Working with football authorities and supporters groups to raise awareness about inequality in the world's beautiful game;
3) Using football as a way to build equality for all members of the LGBT community throughout society through workshops, education classes, talks and exhibitions.
Finally thanks to you for all your continued support.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Exeter City striker to coach Devon's only gay-friendly team
Exeter City Football Club striker John O'Flynn will take on a new role this Sunday.
O'Flynn, in his role as Exeter FC's One Game One Community (OGOC) ambassador, will run a training session for players from the Devon Lions football team on Sunday in Exeter.
The Devon Lions are Devon's first and only gay-friendly football team. The team represent Devon in the Gay National friendly league.
The training session, which will be held in the city, has been organised by Exeter City's OGOC group, which operates under the umbrella of Exeter City's Supporter's Trust.
The aims of the group are to address all strands of equality including race, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. The group works closely with Exeter City FC and its Community Trust to promote a positive and inclusive outlook.
This approach has been endorsed by O'Flynn, who said: "Football should be about bringing people together whatever their backgrounds."Let's help make Exeter City a true community club welcoming to all be they young or old, black or white, male or female, gay or straight, disabled or able-bodied, with faith or without."As they saying goes - united we stand; divided we fall."
Exeter City FC marked its commitment to equality and diversity in October by making its clash with Rochdale its OGOC/Kick it Out fixture. Kick it Out is a national organisation aimed at ending racism and other prejudice in the game.
Devon Lions was formed in February 2009 and since then has provided a non-judgemental environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and heterosexual players to enjoy playing football.
The club takes pride in promoting equality and social inclusion whilst fighting prejudice in society.
It has worked with The Justin Campaign, which opposes homophobia in football.
Richard Cowell, Devon Lions Secretary said "This is such a fantastic step forward to have a Football League club helping make a stance against the homophobic prejudice still seen in the game.
"Exeter City have been incredibly welcoming of our prospect and cause and it sets an example to the rest of footballing world: that we can make a stand against the abuse regularly seen at clubs up and down the country".
Devon Lions FC are always on the lookout for new players, supporters or volunteers, so no matter how experienced you are, you will be made to feel welcome.
For further information about Devon Lions please contact the committee on committee@devonlionsfc.co.uk
O'Flynn, in his role as Exeter FC's One Game One Community (OGOC) ambassador, will run a training session for players from the Devon Lions football team on Sunday in Exeter.
The Devon Lions are Devon's first and only gay-friendly football team. The team represent Devon in the Gay National friendly league.
The training session, which will be held in the city, has been organised by Exeter City's OGOC group, which operates under the umbrella of Exeter City's Supporter's Trust.
The aims of the group are to address all strands of equality including race, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. The group works closely with Exeter City FC and its Community Trust to promote a positive and inclusive outlook.
This approach has been endorsed by O'Flynn, who said: "Football should be about bringing people together whatever their backgrounds."Let's help make Exeter City a true community club welcoming to all be they young or old, black or white, male or female, gay or straight, disabled or able-bodied, with faith or without."As they saying goes - united we stand; divided we fall."
Exeter City FC marked its commitment to equality and diversity in October by making its clash with Rochdale its OGOC/Kick it Out fixture. Kick it Out is a national organisation aimed at ending racism and other prejudice in the game.
Devon Lions was formed in February 2009 and since then has provided a non-judgemental environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and heterosexual players to enjoy playing football.
The club takes pride in promoting equality and social inclusion whilst fighting prejudice in society.
It has worked with The Justin Campaign, which opposes homophobia in football.
Richard Cowell, Devon Lions Secretary said "This is such a fantastic step forward to have a Football League club helping make a stance against the homophobic prejudice still seen in the game.
"Exeter City have been incredibly welcoming of our prospect and cause and it sets an example to the rest of footballing world: that we can make a stand against the abuse regularly seen at clubs up and down the country".
Devon Lions FC are always on the lookout for new players, supporters or volunteers, so no matter how experienced you are, you will be made to feel welcome.
For further information about Devon Lions please contact the committee on committee@devonlionsfc.co.uk
Sunday, 4 December 2011
The Justin Campaign Is Recruiting! - Head Of Professional Game
Head of professional game – Voluntary – part time approximately 8 hours a week
About the Justin Campaign
The Justin Campaign (JC) is the FA’s adopted campaign to tackle homophobia in football. We challenge discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people in order to create welcoming and inclusive football environments. We aim to see football and wider society value the contributions made by LGBT people. The JC is a fast-growing organisation working with partners at the highest level of football, both domestically and internationally. We focus our efforts on four key areas of work: grassroots football, arts, education and Football V Homophobia (FvH).
About your role
With the adoption by the FA of our key initiative Football v Homophobia, we will see a large increase in contact with professional clubs over the forthcoming years. Your role is to manage the relationship with professional clubs, and to ensure a joined up approach on behalf of the campaign. This will involve working closely with the director for FvH, and the directors of other campaign areas to ensure that we offer the most appropriate support to help professional clubs tackle discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people.
The Key responsibilities of the role include:
· Developing a strategy to ensure the JC supports football clubs to achieve our vision
· Developing a clear approach to professional clubs to get them involved with FvH and other campaign work
· Managing contact with professional clubs and their representatives
· Working with the director of FvH to ensure that FvH works for professional clubs
· Recruiting, organising and managing volunteers to fulfil various functions within the professional game team
About you
You will have a keen interest in both football and the social justice agenda. You understand the importance of the work of the Justin Campaign and are keen to get involved. You have excellent people skills and are good at communicating over email and telephone to build relationships of trust and support. You also have the ability to manage several tasks and projects at the same time, knowing that you will be balancing communication with up to 90 professional club over the course of the year! You are a proactive, initiative taker who would love to get your hands into this project.
To apply for this position, please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter to Megan Worthing-Davies: megan@thejustincampaign.com. If you have any questions please contact Megan on 07814 036789.
The final date for all applications is 1pm, 14th December.
We welcome applicants from both within and outside the LGBT community. The Justin Campaign is predominantly a Brighton based campaigning organisation. Volunteers will be expected to attend some meetings in Brighton.
The Justin Campaign Is Recruiting! - Head Of Fundraising And Sponsorship
Head of Fundraising and sponsorship – voluntary – part time approximately 4- 8 hours per week
About the Justin Campaign
The Justin Campaign (JC) is the FA’s adopted campaign to tackle homophobia in football. We aim to see football and wider society value the contributions made by LGBT people. The JC is a fast-growing organisation working with partners at the highest level of football, both domestically and internationally. We focus our efforts on four key areas of work: grassroots football, arts, education and Football V Homophobia.
About your role
This is an exciting role that will involve you working creatively and with initiative to secure funding for the Justin Campaign. This includes a significant role guiding the board about future funding options and possible charitable status. The role provides an opportunity for someone with initiative and ambition to make a real contribution to the future success of the campaign.
Your key responsibilities will be:
· To develop a funding strategy and increase the funding for the Justin Campaign and it’s key initiative Football v Homophobia
· To review the legal/charitable status of the campaign and advise best future options
· To research and target potential funders including charitable trusts, government grants, donor contributions, corporate sponsorship, supporter giving and other opportunities
· To work with the Director of Communications and PR to produce supporting materials such as posters, websites and newsletters to promote, market and advertise funding opportunities and events
· To work with other directors to identify funding needs and options, and to develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the fundraising program and its activities, monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance
· To recruit, organise and manage volunteers to fulfil various functions within the fundraising team
About you
It is desirable that you have experience, qualifications and/or training in this area. You are an ambitious and motivated person who enjoys finding solutions to problems. You are excited by the scope there is to develop the funding portfolio of the campaign and for the opportunities there will be to use your own initiative to make a difference. You see the potential that exists to take the campaign to the next level of impact and influence through financial growth and are confident in your ability to meet the challenge.
To apply for this position, please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter to Megan Worthing-Davies: megan@thejustincampaign.com. If you have any questions, please contact Megan on 07814 036789.
The final date for all applications is 1pm, 14th December.
We welcome applicants from both within and outside the LGBT community. The Justin Campaign is predominantly a Brighton based campaigning organisation. Volunteers will be expected to attend some meetings in Brighton.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
"Justin" Documentary Debuts On December 3rd
A new documentary charting the formation of The Justin Campaign is to receive its world premiere on December 3rd in Brighton as part of the city's Cinecity festival.
The 30-minute film, made by Ian McDonald, is also interspersed with the moving memories of Justin from people who knew him best: his family, friends, fans and the coach who discovered him. Their accounts, in some cases being told on camera for the first time, create a poignant portrait of Justin in all his brilliance and beauty as well as his insecurities and indiscretions.
The film will be screened on the afternoon of December 3rd at the Nightingale Theatre.
The Campaign is very excited about the screening of "Justin" and is looking forward to revisiting those early days of the project.
Jason Hall, founding director of the Justin Campaign, said: "Justin Fashanu is at the heart of all that we do. Justin's love of football and men placed him in an unfamiliar, monochrome world. However, Justin brought colour into that world, and lots of it. He has inspired a new generation of footballers. Let's all make football colourful!"
For more info, click here.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Transgender first from American Samoa
Two firsts from the tiny footballing country of American Samoa.
For years the little Pacific island was known as being the country which lost 31-0 to Australia in a World Cup qualifying game.
But now there have been two major breakthroughs. Firstly the country officially last in the Fifa rankings has won its first game. Secondly, and more importantly, was the appearance of defender Johnny Saelua.
He is believed to be the first transgender athlete to compete in a World Cup qualifying match.
Media reports say Saelua is part of the fa’afafine, biological males who identify as a third sex that is widely accepted in Polynesian culture.
He is reported as saying: “The team accept me and we have that mutual respect - which is great. It’s all part of the culture.”
This marks a truly important step in football history. Transgender athletes have long had difficulties in playing any sport, something which is discriminatory and simply wrong.
One only needs to remember the media storm surrounding 800m runner Caster Semenya to see the simplistic view that many have on the issue.
Saelua's appearance shows that the views in global football are becoming more accepting to those who belong to the LGBT community.
The comments of American Samoa's coach Thomas Rongen were perhaps less helpful to this ongoing battle but do ask an important question. He said: “I’ve really got a female starting at centre back. Can you imagine that in England or Spain?”
People in more established footballing countries, whether they are fans, players or part of the establishment, have to ask themselves this question.
What reaction would Saelua get if he signed for an English football club? Would there be general hysteria or would people accept him for the committed and talented footballer he is? It is a question that one day we hope is asked as it will only help people realise that football is for all, regardless of who you are.
For years the little Pacific island was known as being the country which lost 31-0 to Australia in a World Cup qualifying game.
But now there have been two major breakthroughs. Firstly the country officially last in the Fifa rankings has won its first game. Secondly, and more importantly, was the appearance of defender Johnny Saelua.
He is believed to be the first transgender athlete to compete in a World Cup qualifying match.
Media reports say Saelua is part of the fa’afafine, biological males who identify as a third sex that is widely accepted in Polynesian culture.
He is reported as saying: “The team accept me and we have that mutual respect - which is great. It’s all part of the culture.”
This marks a truly important step in football history. Transgender athletes have long had difficulties in playing any sport, something which is discriminatory and simply wrong.
One only needs to remember the media storm surrounding 800m runner Caster Semenya to see the simplistic view that many have on the issue.
Saelua's appearance shows that the views in global football are becoming more accepting to those who belong to the LGBT community.
The comments of American Samoa's coach Thomas Rongen were perhaps less helpful to this ongoing battle but do ask an important question. He said: “I’ve really got a female starting at centre back. Can you imagine that in England or Spain?”
People in more established footballing countries, whether they are fans, players or part of the establishment, have to ask themselves this question.
What reaction would Saelua get if he signed for an English football club? Would there be general hysteria or would people accept him for the committed and talented footballer he is? It is a question that one day we hope is asked as it will only help people realise that football is for all, regardless of who you are.
Artwork needed for national campaign
Calling all you arty campaigners.
Government equalities minister Lynne Featherstone is running a campaign to get someone to design a logo for a national campaign to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport.
Lynne Featherstone said: “Over 2,000 individuals and clubs have already signed up to the Government Charter for Action to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport and I thank them for their support.
“The competition will help encourage even more people to get involved and spread the message far and wide that homophobic and transphobic abuse is never acceptable.”
More info is here.
Government equalities minister Lynne Featherstone is running a campaign to get someone to design a logo for a national campaign to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport.
Lynne Featherstone said: “Over 2,000 individuals and clubs have already signed up to the Government Charter for Action to kick homophobia and transphobia out of sport and I thank them for their support.
“The competition will help encourage even more people to get involved and spread the message far and wide that homophobic and transphobic abuse is never acceptable.”
More info is here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
