Arsenal Support Anti-Homophobia Campaign

After that last disheartening story about racism in sport, here comes a bit of good news on another front. Gay rights group Stonewall along with Paddy Power and the Gay Football Supporters’ Network have launched this year’s Rainbow Laces campaign with a little help from Arsenal.

Twenty-Twenty-Twenty Four Hours To Go I Wanna Be Sedated

I’ll give you 2 guesses as to whose bulbous badonk that is. Not that you’ll need it!

I’m so not ready. How about you? Lots of stuff to look at today, so I’ll spread it between 2 posts. First up, training!

UPDATED: Thank You, Toronto FC, DC United & Dutch FA!

I was delighted to see Toronto FC had made a video for the wonderful You Can Play Project which works to create a safe environment for gay athletes. Their motto is direct: “If you can play, you can play.” And it should be that simple, shouldn’t it? Sadly it’s not. Toronto FC’s spot is terrific and multilingual. I really wish more teams would make videos like this.

Hot Chip & Footy Man Love, FTW

Hot Chip’s new video for Don’t Deny Your Heart is full of awesomeness. Would that the Manchester derby turned out this amicable in real life, eh? I can imagine it’s going to make some jaws drop, but fuck it, Hot Chip has always been upfront about their support of the gay, lesbian, bi and transgender community so people can just deal.

– Lozil

Bits & Bobs: True Love, A Picturesque View, The Ox, El Pirata, Supermodel Nando, Help A Madridista Out, David Testo’s Story

D’awwwww!

Ah, Clarice & Marcelo! Ain’t love grand? I love these two and looking at them being so happy together gives even my hard grumpy heart the warm fuzzies. On to the bits and bobs…

The Man Who Doesn’t Actually Exist: A Conversation With A Gay Bundesliga Footballer

Our good pals Jenny_Jenkins & Sashatwen did this great translation of an article that appeared on Tuesday on German website Fluter. Everything in italics after the jump is their translation. Thank you so much ladies, this is important stuff.

Cassano Fined By UEFA For Homophobic Comments

 

In a move that surprised and pleased me, the UEFA got their heads out of their arses long enough to fine Antonio Cassano for his homophobic remarks during a Euro 2012 presser.

Anti-Homophobia Footy Poster

Considering all the warnings about safety for the LGBT community at Euro 2012, this poster puts the issue squarely in the face of fans. It was created by Maneo, a Berlin-based organization that focuses on violence and discrimination against the gay community. Thanks to Outsports for bringing this to our attention.

– Lozil

Fighting The Good Fight: You Can Play – The Faceoff

I know this is hockey-related (hey, never hurts to look at Henrik Lundqvist, now does it?) but the message is very important.

You Get What You Deserve

Complete and Utter Doucheweed of the Day goes to Oxford City’s Lee Steele for tweeting a homophobic comment about Wales rugby legend Gareth Thomas.

However, this story has a surprising ending considering some of the shit we’ve seen recently. The club stepped up and fired Steele’s ridiculous arse pronto.

Watishista kfunk22 gave me a heads up on this story and I’m grateful.  We’re big fans of Gareth Thomas here for his courage and also his support in the fight against homophobia. Read on for the details…