BRADFORD City will show their colourful support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) inclusion in the sport.
The Bantams' home clash with Carlisle United today will see City support Stonewall's annual Rainbow Laces campaign - working to 'Make Sport Everyone's Game'.
Taking place until December 13, this year's two-week campaign aims to educate and encourage support for LGBT+ community's inclusion in football.
The Carlisle clash is the Bantams' dedicated Rainbow Laces fixture, ahead of Rainbow Laces Day on Wednesday, December 9.
Early start at Valley Parade filming for the #RainbowLaces campaign.
— Richard Dunbar (@rdunbar83) November 30, 2020
Visibility is an important first step in achieving LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Massive respect to @officialbantams who do everything possible to ensure everyone is welcome and feels part of the Bantams family. 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/WArBHP2E6L
Players will wear rainbow laces and captain's armbands, with rainbow corner flags also in place at Valley Parade for the League Two clash.
City has led the way in flying the flag in football’s fight against homophobia.
The rainbow flag has been flown above Valley Parade on a match day since the start of the 2013-14 season.
Councillor Richard Dunbar (Thornton and Allerton), is a City season ticket holder who has backed and promoted the Bantams' involvement in the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Mr Dunbar said: "It proves everyone is welcome in the Bantams family.
"It's brilliant that the club is doing this on Saturday.
"The rainbow, in this dreadful time, has become a symbol.
"While we are not there in football stadiums in person at the moment, this is the next best thing.
🏳️🌈 | Today we get behind @stonewalluk's #RainbowLaces campaign - constantly pushing to 'Make Sport Everyone's Game'...#BCAFC | #CityForAll pic.twitter.com/ptPrGHpszg
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) December 5, 2020
"I have heard homophobic things at games in the past at City games, but I've reported it and it has been dealt with quickly.
City was one of the first clubs to fly the rainbow flag at the stadium. They do all sorts of things. It's just really nice to be a fan of the club
"To see the club do this is important, it might make the journey easier for someone.
"We need to support players who may want to come out. The FA needs to support players.
"I would much rather be at Valley Parade seeing this all on Saturday. All of us fans would prefer to be in the stadium in person."
🏳️🌈 | This week's playlist - which will feature during our annual @stonewalluk #RainbowLaces fixture - is inspired by music created by LGBTQ+ artists!
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) December 3, 2020
➡️ | Read: https://t.co/K2guRCa91m#BCAFC | #CityForAll https://t.co/U5MjdjlgXr pic.twitter.com/Bv6Wmkt6Hx
The Bantams say they are incredibly proud to be taking part in the awareness campaign, culminating in the Carlisle game.
A Bradford City spokesman said: “Our involvement in this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign once again shows how highly everyone at Bradford City holds what it stands for.
“Inclusion and diversity - in all its many forms - is integral to everything we do, and to be supporting its message again is something we as a club cannot stress the importance of enough.
“We are immensely proud of our diverse and equal values in every sense of their meaning, and will continue to support the campaign and our many LGBT supporters - as well as wearing Rainbow Laces during our visit of Carlisle United - in a bid to help 'Make Sport Everyone’s Game'.”
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