Photo: Supplied
NPLW clubs have partnered with Pride in Sport for the #RainbowLaces Round to take place this weekend; a national campaign to show support of LGBTI athletes, administrators and fans.
The campaign – powered by SKINS – will see players don rainbow laces across the grounds to deliver a unified message that LGBTI discrimination has no place in sport.
Galaxy United winger Kariah White and Heidelberg United/Young Matilda Cortnee Vine are the ambassadors of the club-run campaign and have gotten all 10 clubs behind the cause for this week’s set of fixtures.
“Football has given me the opportunity to express and be true to who I am,” White told The Corner Flag.
“Rainbow Round of Sport is an amazing chance for us step up and raise awareness of LGBTI equality within sport.”
An international study conducted by Out On The Fields (2015) highlighted the LGBTI discrimination that still takes place in sport today, with:
- 80% of people have witnessed or experienced LGBTI prejudice in a sporting environment
- 46% of participants believed that LGB’s are not accepted in sporting culture (versus 1% that did)
- 84% of people who took part said homophobic jokes occur “all the time”, “often” or “sometimes”
- 75% of Australian participants believe an openly LGB person would not be very safe as a spectator at a sporting event
The message implores the entire footballing community to stand together to stamp LGBTI discrimination from the game all-together, to help foster a welcoming environment and a safe place for the greater community to feel accepted.
“LGBTI prejudice is still a problem in sport, it affects my teammates, friends and coaches,” Vine said.
“I’ll be wearing rainbow laces in support of these amazing people who contribute so much positivity to my life.”
If you would like to do your part, you can pick up your very own pair of rainbow laces around the grounds. with White’s Galaxy United travelling to Lawton Park on Saturday to take on Southern United, while Vine’s Heidelberg United play host to Calder United.
You can also collect your free pair of Rainbow Laces from your nearest Rebel, Rebelfit, AMART Sports or Medibank branch.
For more information about the #RainbowLaces campaign, see rainbowlaces.net