Justin Campaign
The Justin Campaign was founded to demonstrate that ten years after Justin Fashanu’s tragic suicide in 1998, homophobia is still hugely prevalent in both grassroots and professional football.
Along with raising awareness the campaign has a strong focus on Art, Events, Education and football. Through these four key initiatives and some forward thinking strategic work with other inclusive sporting organisations, The Justin Campaign seeks to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist around LGB&T) people and work towards a future where the visibility of LGB&T people in football is both accepted and celebrated.
Aims
- To raise the participation of LGBT people in football at a grassroots level
- To foster an environment where professional football players can feel comfortable being open about their sexuality
- To engage with youth and adults through the use of sport and academia with the aim of eliminating discrimination and prejudice against LGBT people
- To work strategically with partners to influence government, policy makers and statutory services to promote healthy lifestyles and well being among LGBT people
- To creatively challenge the negative stereotypes that surround LGBT people
- To actively challenge by any civil means any form of prejudice and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation
Football v Homophobia
FvH is an international initiative opposing homophobia in football. It is the Football Association’s chosen campaign to tackle homophobia in grassroots football in England, and the only campaign specifically created to tackle this issue at all levels of the game, all around the world. Almost two out every three football fans believe football would be a better sport if anti-gay abuse was eradicated, and one out of two lesbian, gay and bisexual fans feel it affects their participation in the sport. FvH wants football to take a clear stand against homophobia so that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game and so that football leads the way in removing discrimination and prejudice based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Justin Fashanu Allstars
The Justin Fashanu All-Stars are a unique new team founded by the Justin Campaign against homophobia in football. With a constantly changing line-up, the All-Stars will be open to anyone, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, who wants to represent the Campaign on the football pitch.
The All-Stars were launched on 7 March 2009 at the Justin Campaign Football Festival at Brighton’s Jubilee Square where the team’s pink and black kit – sponsored by chart-topping musician Norman Cook and his wife Zoe Ball – was unveiled. The following week the All-Stars made their competitive bow at the Yorkshire Terriers’ Five-a-Side tournament in Leeds.
Organised by the Campaign, the team will have different managers and players for friendlies in national and international tournaments.
