Submitted on
Wednesday 2 November 2011
by
Elaine Browne
The Justin Campaign congratulates Wycombe Wanderers on taking a stand against homophobia and transphobia in football
Brighton, 21 October 2011—
The Justin Campaign is pleased to learn that Wycombe Wanderers have become the first professional football club to sign up to the Government’s ‘Charter for Action’ in tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport.
The charter commits signatories to challenge discrimination and work to rid sport of homophobic and transphobic abuse both on the terraces and on the pitch, so that everyone can take part in and enjoy sport.
Jason Hall, founder of the Justin Campaign said: ‘It’s really good to see that Wycombe Wanderers have shown leadership in demonstrating their support for the Government’s Charter. It’s a pity though that other professional clubs have still yet to do the same. It really is time now for them all to take a stand along with Wycombe Wanderers and ‘get with the programme’ “.
The Justin Campaign was set up in 2008 in memory of Justin Fashanu, the world’s first openly gay professional footballer, who took his own life in 1998. The campaign highlights how homophobia is still engrained in both grassroots and professional football and seeks to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist around LGB & T (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans) people, so that the visibility of LGB & T people in football will become both accepted and celebrated. (thejustincampaign.com)
ENDS
Notes for Editors
On 14 March 2011 the UK Government, together with major sporting bodies includin the Football Association and Rugby Football Union, launched a Sports Charter calling for anyone and everyone with an interest or involvement in sport to unite in a common cause to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport.
The Justin Campaign was founded to demonstrate that ten years after Justin Fashanu’s tragic suicide in 1998, homophobia is still hugely prevalent in both grassroots and professional football. Along with raising awareness the campaign has a strong focus on Art, Events, Education and football. Through these four key initiatives and some forward thinking strategic work with other inclusive sporting organisations, The Justin Campaign seeks to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist around LGB & T (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans) people and work towards a future where the visibility of LGB & T people in football is both accepted and celebrated.
Justin Fashanu came out to the world in the Sun newspaper on 21 Oct 1990. Exactly to 21 years later, little progress has been made, with just one other active professional football player coming out since then - Swedish footballer Anton Hysen.