Rainbow Laces Day: How Liverpool City Region Celebrated

Last Wednesday, 9th December was Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces Day, when LGBT+ people and allies speak up on inclusion in and equality in sport. The campaign was supported across the Liverpool City Region and we’ve collected some of the highlights.

Tranmere Rovers Women and Girls dedicated its game against FC United Women on 6th December to the Rainbow Laces campaign – and went on to win the game 6 – 0. Grassroots team Mersey Marauders FC and Tranmere Rovers LGBT+ fan group, Rover and Out, supported the campaign online, while the region’s top flight clubs showed their support on the pitch. 

At Liverpool FC vs Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield ‪and LFC Women vs Crystal Palace Women at Prenton Park, both teams’ captains wore the rainbow armband and all players had the opportunity to wear rainbow laces. Jordan Henderson also shared a shot of himself wearing a rainbow captain’s band, with the caption “Football is a game for everyone. No matter what. #RainbowLaces.”

The club’s official charity, LFC Foundation, also held Rainbow Laces-themed workshops as part of its Premier League Primary Stars programme with 350 local children in six schools, as well as its Premier League Kicks sessions and all other football activity sessions.

Everton FC showed its continued commitment to inclusivity in the game on Saturday 12th December, when they faced Chelsea at home. Rainbow Laces branding was splashed across Goodison and there was a rainbow pitch flag, rainbow-coloured ball plinths, corner flags and substitution boards greeted players, officials and the 2,000 fans who were able to attend a game for the first time since March.

The club also took a stand against homophobic comments on posts about the campaign on its social media channels, responding “We’re ‘The People’s Club’, not ‘Some People’s Club’. You won’t be missed.” to one individual’s decision to “unfollow” after branding the post “disgusting”.

Away from the football pitch St Helens R.F.C illuminated the Totally Wicked Stadium in rainbow colours to highlight the Rainbow Laces campaign, local members inclusive cycling group Pride Out (who can’t always wear laces with their shoes) donned rainbow flags and lycra in solidarity and groups including Liverpool Tritons and Liverpool Frontrunners also proudly supported the campaign.

If you wish to get involved with next years’ Rainbow Laces campaign, you can find our more here: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/rainbow-laces

 

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LCR Pride Foundation is a registered charity in England & Wales, no 1185167. Registered Company 11754074.