25 June 2011
People of Norwich are urged to show their support for a new Government campaign tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport, as the city gears up to welcome thousands of revellers to the annual LGBT pride parade.
The 'I love sport, but I hate homophobia and transphobia' campaign, which aims to make sport at every level a welcoming environment for all, has a growing list of supporters including rugby union's Ben Cohen, volleyball's Claire Harvey and The Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football League, the Rugby Football Union and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympics Games.
Members of the public can back the campaign on Facebook by searching 'I love sport, but I hate homophobia and transphobia'.
The campaign forms part of widespread Government work to ensure equal treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people which will see action being taken on a range of issues from civil partnerships, to work to promote better recording of hate crimes and a commitment to promote rights abroad.
Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone said:
?As we celebrate gay pride, I urge you to pause to remember that somewhere in Norwich there is a young sports fan who's packed in their passion because they think they won't be accepted.
?Supporting this new campaign will help us make Pride 2011 the year we relegate hate in sport to history.?
To support the campaign and sign up to the Charter for Action 'like' the 'I love sport, but I hate homophobia and transphobia' Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lgbtsportcharter
