On and off the pitch, football is a brilliant place for LGBTQ+ professionals

Taking a united approach, we are a network group that is helping to create an environment in which football is an industry of choice for, and is representative of, the LGBTQ+ community.

Do you work in the game, in a pro or semi-pro role?

LGBTQ+ or an active ally? Join us!

NEW! Referees Dan McFarlane and Mikey Connor from the Collective are guests on a Football v Homophobia Podcast episode to mark World Mental Health Day and Coming Out Day

NEW: Advice on #WorldMentalHealthDay for fellow #LGBTQ football folk, from two referees

Read here 👉 https://t.co/FA33YcdNTQ

Dan McFarlane and @Mikeyconnor94 join the @FvHtweets Pod to discuss wellbeing, looking after each other, and being gay in the game ⚽️🌈#WMHD #WMHD23
— Sports Media LGBT+ (@SportsMediaLGBT) October 10, 2023

Looking for speakers, workshops, resources or just some advice? Email us at [email protected]

Catch up on Football Pride! Read all about our big summer 2023 event in Manchester

With spirit-lifting panel chats, celebratory socials and even some voguing on the parade, #FootballPride achieved its ambitions and more on @ManchesterPride weekend. 🏳️‍🌈⚽️🏳️‍⚧️

Read all it about here 👉 https://t.co/BrmlkZhLhR

Article via @SportsMediaLGBT #LGBTQfootball #FvH2023 pic.twitter.com/KvhwW7b2kd
— FootballvHomophobia (@FvHtweets) September 2, 2023

LATEST NEWS - COLLECTIVE MEMBERS IN THE MEDIA

Feature interview with Dan McFarlane on Outsports (October 2023)

Sam Picton blogs about the connections between football and Pride (Kick It Out, June 2023)

“Wherever you go, you should always be welcomed for who you are and how you are.” 🗣️

Sam Picton, a graduate employee at @ManCity , didn’t see himself working in football but has found that the industry has become more LGBTQ+ inclusive.

Read more 👉🏽 https://t.co/O69TJN20Sm pic.twitter.com/4YUZ5k41tx
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) June 30, 2023

Colin’s story in Ted Lasso suggests pathway to Pride for gay footballers (Jon Holmes for Sports Media LGBT+, June 2023)

Lou Englefield: City fandom, Pride Sports and Football v Homophobia (ManCity.com, June 2023)

Pride shouldn’t feel perilous - let’s get sports speaking confidently (Jon Holmes for Sport and Recreation Alliance, June 2023)

Returning to top-flight officiating after giving birth | Barclays WSL referee Stacey Pearson (PGMOL on YouTube, May 2023)

OUR STORY

Watch the short film below about our launch event in London in June 2022 (thanks to videographer and editor John Reavey)

Read media coverage about the launch in The Guardian, ESPN and Sports Media LGBT+; watch on Sky Sports; see event images below (thanks to photographer Sam Rees)

: Chloe Morgan

: Jay Lemonius & Chris Paouros

: Lit up for the launch!

: Ryan Atkin

: Parker Dunn, Jahmal Howlett-Mundle & Matt Morton

: A great panel chat

: Parker & Jahmal

: Matt, Jahmal & Luke Tuffs

: The panel in focus…

Thank you to our founding supporters - Football v Homophobia; Sports Media LGBT+; The Football Association; Brentford FC; Kick It Out; Women in Football; The Player Care Group; Inside Inclusion; and PGMOL

Interested in connecting / partnering? Got a media enquiry? Whatever your question, please email us at [email protected]

About us

The LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective is a network group providing connections and advice about inclusion for all those working in the game.

Find out more