Major Sporting Organizations in the UK End Partnerships with Stonewall, Impacting LGBTQ+ Initiatives
Three of the UK’s leading sporting organizations—the Premier League, the Football Association (FA), and Premiership Rugby—have decided to sever ties with the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, marking the conclusion of longstanding collaborations aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in sports. This decision affects the Rainbow Laces campaign, which has been pivotal in advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports since its launch in 2013.
End of an Era for Rainbow Laces
The Premier League has ended its eight-year partnership with Stonewall amid internal discussions focused on enhancing diversity expertise within the league and its member clubs. Similarly, the FA has opted out of its partnership with Stonewall to pursue a broader strategy beyond singular campaigns, which have shown limited success in tackling discrimination in the sport.
In addition, Premiership Rugby has also announced that it will not be using rainbow laces this season and is reportedly in talks with a different charitable organization to continue supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in the sport.
Changes in Symbolism and Policy
As part of this shift, the Premier League has decided to discontinue the use of rainbow armbands, opting instead for team captains to wear armbands displaying only the league’s logo. This change comes after a Supreme Court ruling regarding the legal interpretation of women under equality legislation, which has prompted significant policy revisions across British sports. Following this ruling, the FA has prohibited transgender women from competing in women’s football—a decision that Stonewall criticized as hasty and lacking comprehensive legal analysis.
Stonewall’s Response and Future Initiatives
A Stonewall representative acknowledged the evolving nature of partnerships while defending the positive impact of the Rainbow Laces campaign. They stated, "Rainbow Laces has significantly contributed to improving LGBTQ+ inclusion, acceptance, and participation in sport at all levels, from players to fans." The charity emphasized progress in grassroots participation and noted that the LGBTQ+ community increasingly feels accepted in sports.
Looking forward, the Premier League plans to introduce new diversity initiatives during LGBTQ+ History Month in February, signaling a commitment to continue promoting inclusivity in the sporting world.
Controversies and Inconsistent Enforcement in Football
Recent controversies surrounding armbands have highlighted tensions within the football community. For instance, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi faced scrutiny for inscribing religious messages on his rainbow armband, violating FA equipment regulations. Conversely, Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy chose not to wear the rainbow armband at all but faced no repercussions, raising concerns about inconsistent enforcement of the rules.
Despite the changes, Stonewall has expressed gratitude for ongoing support from other partners, particularly within the Women’s Super League, assuring that "Rainbow Laces and its sporting partners will continue to be at the forefront of efforts for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the years ahead."
Stay tuned for more updates on how these changes will shape the landscape of diversity and inclusion in British sports.
