The Justin Campaign, a campaign started in memory of Justin Fashanu, the world’s first and only out gay professional football player, is to launch an international day opposing homophobia in football on February 19. The day's intention is to raise awareness of the prevalence of homophobia in the sport and to encourage national clubs to show their support for the cause by condemning the use of homophobic language and abuse.

This initiative comes to light just weeks after The Justin Campaign became part of a coalition with the TUC (trade union congress) the PFA (professional footballers association) KickItOut  (the FA’s equality and inclusion campaign) PrideSports (The UK’s only LGBT sports development company) & Schoolsout (an organisation fighting for LGBT equality in education) to take forward an independent campaign against homophobia in football.

Community football teams throughout the UK and Europe will be showing their support for the cause by holding a series of football matches and events throughout the day under the banner of Football v Homophobia. The Justin Campaign, as well as staging an opening ceremony in Brighton, will be sending their campaigning football team The Justin Fashanu All Stars to play in a football match in Norwich where Justin Fashanu began his footballing career.

February 2010 is also LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgenedered) history month.

Darren Ollerton, campaign director, said:
“We wanted the launch of Football vs Homophobia to compliment LGBT history month somehow. Every year on Feb 19 the campaign will celebrate the day by following Justin Fashanu’s career throughout the years and engaging with each team and their community along the way. Let’s hope when the campaign reaches the end of the timeline we will have witnessed some much needed change in the way gay/bi men in professional and amateur football are perceived and treated.”

Founding director of The Justin Campaign Jason Bartholomew Hall said:
“We think it’s important to have one day out of each year when clubs and supporters are able to unite in opposing hate and intolerance in their national sport. However people celebrate Football v Homophobia day – let it be out of respect for each other and of equality.”

Simon Burgess, Labour & Co-op Parliamentary Candidate Brighton Kemptown, Nancy Platts and Celia Barlow MP said:
"We wholeheartedly support the launch of 'Football v Homophobia', football needs a day recognised internationally to tackle homophobia head on, homophobia is completely unacceptable and offensive to us all. This campaign is particularly pertinent for our city because the Albion team and supporters still suffer homophobic abuse on a regular basis. Justin Fashanu, the only professional football player to have come out, used to play for the Albion but tragically he took his own life. We want to play our part in creating an environment where other footballers can feel able to come out without them suffering in the way that Justin did."
 
For more information view:
www.thejustincampaign.com.