The Rise Of LGBTQ+ Football Fan Groups

Virgin Radio

20 Jul 2022, 08:07

As part of this year’s run of special programmes on Virgin Radio Pride, we take a look at the growth of LGBTQ+ football fan groups and how they have played such a vital role in some people’s relationship with the beautiful game.

In 2020, LGBTQ+ campaign group Stonewall found 20% of fans surveyed reported anti-LGBTQ+ language is acceptable as it is only ‘meant as banter’, whilst 43% of LGBTQ+ young people think sporting events are not a welcoming space for them. This data shows safe spaces and LGBTQ+ dedicated groups are required to help members of the community feel comfortable and included when attending sporting events, especially football.

Radio presenter, and patron of Leicester City’s group Foxes Pride, Christian Hewgill spoke to members and founders of groups across the country. He discovered stories of confusion, discomfort and isolation as football supporters would feel the terraces are not a safe space to express their true sexuality and/or gender identification.

Claire is a supporter of Championship side West Bromwich Albion and has been since 1974. She is a member of the club’s LGBTQ+ supporters group Proud Baggies and identifies as a transgender woman. When speaking to Christian, Claire said that, being a trans woman and a football supporter, “it was easier to go to the game as a man but I knew at some point a decision had to be made that I would go as a female… It created a live anxiety within me… It was a time I felt I could have walked away from watching football but I didn’t want to, it’s part of my life”.

When asked about the role Proud Baggies have played on Claire’s transgender journey she said: “They’ve set up pretty much everything for me… It’s opened a lot of avenues for me and I’ve made new friends… The Proud Baggies have been instrumental, I can’t thank them enough… They’ve probably saved my life.”

If you would like to find out more about your club’s LGBTQ+ supporters group then the full list of groups officially recognised by Pride In Football can be found here.

The Rise Of LGBT Football Fan Groups will premiere at 6pm on Wednesday 20th July on Virgin Radio Pride, before being added to the Virgin Radio Pridecast series to listen back to.