BRADFORD City will hold its first independent LGBTQ+ convention at the club next month.

The Bantams will stage their first convention at the club's Valley Parade home on Saturday, February 19.

The free event, held between 10am and 4pm, will see the stadium's concourse feature stalls, music, entertainment, a raffle and guest speakers.

It is being held to celebrate LGBT History Month, which runs for the whole of February. To also mark the month, City will also be giving away free tickets to the club's home matches to LGBTQ+ groups during February.

 

To also mark LGBT History Month, City will also be giving away free tickets to the club's home matches during February to LGBTQ+ groups.

Marco Townson, who is the club's LGBTQ+ liaison officer and convention organiser, said: "It's really good to be doing an event like this.

"It is good to get the local community involved.

"It's important to me to encourage diversity and equality.

"It is an important event and I hope we can run it every year.

"Football is for everybody. I'm certain the event is going to be popular.

"We will have a few stalls in the concourse at the ground on the day."

Over the last 11 years City have helped to lead the way to support its LGBTQ+ fans.

In 2011, City became the first UK professional football club to allow literature addressing anti-gay issues and LGBT issues to be distributed at a football game.

The Bantams were the third club in the UK to sign the UK Government’s charter tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport.

The club publicly signed the charter ahead of its game with Plymouth Argyle on December 10, 2011. On that day the club hosted a ‘day of action’ addressing homophobia and transphobia in football.

In the 2013/14 season, City became the first club in the UK to fly the traditional Gay Pride flag, in a move to promote inclusivity and as a mark of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

The club aims to be an inclusive environment and welcome people from all parts of the community, no matter what their ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or social background.

The promotion of inclusion allowed both supporters, and our matchday and non-matchday staff the ability to feel safe and supported throughout the club.

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The club also has an active ‘LGBTQ+ Supporters Group’ created by supporters for supporters with the aim of encouraging people of the local LGBTQ+ community to actively attend football matches, without receiving any prejudice and in a safe and welcoming environment.

In 2016, City partnered with Stonewall to support the LGBTQ+ community, to promote inclusivity across the sporting industry.

As part of the Stonewall initiative, the club holds a ‘Rainbow Laces’ fixture once a season to promote inclusivity, for everyone, including supporters, staff and players with the aim to ‘Make Sport Everyone’s Game’.

City players wear rainbow laces, our captain dons a rainbow armband, and the traditional corner flags are replaced with rainbow corner flags.

To book a stall for the event, priced £30, email Mr Townson by February 1, at marcotownson@bradfordcityafc.com or call 01274 773355 extension number 223.