Sunderland is proud to be supporting Stonewall’s upcoming Rainbow Laces Week at this weekend’s fixture against Burton Albion.
On Saturday the Black Cats travel to the Pirelli Stadium and captain John O’Shea will wear a rainbow armband, whilst players and SAFC staff will proudly sport rainbow laces to show their support for Stonewall - Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) rights and equality.
The Rainbow Laces Week - which runs from 24 November to 3 December - is a campaign that aims to make sure everyone knows LGBT people are welcome in sport and, through SAFC’s backing of the campaign, the Wearsiders want to make it clear that LGBT fans are welcome and embraced by the club.
Sunderland AFC chief executive, Martin Bain said: “As a club, we fully support Stonewall’s campaign to make sport for everyone. We want all our fans, no matter who they are, to enjoy our club and be part of the Sunderland AFC community.”
Statistics have shown that the majority of football fans have heard homophobic abuse. The message from Sunderland AFC is clear - abuse isn’t banter; it’s harmful to individuals and it’s harmful to our club. Football has the power to bring communities together – SAFC are asking fans to show their support for equal rights, Stonewall and their Rainbow Laces campaign.
If you are an LGBT Sunderland AFC fan and you would like to start an independent LGBT supporters’ group, please contact Sunderland AFC’s Supporter Liaison Officer, Chris Waters at chris.waters@safc.com for further information.