Football Pride – an event from Football v Homophobia that lifts up LGBTQ+ voices across the game – is returning at Manchester Pride in August to bring together LGBTQ+ communities within the world’s most popular sport to party, participate and protest.
The main event will be a one-day symposium at Manchester Metropolitan University on Friday, August 25, bookended by get-togethers and networking opportunities on the Thursday and Friday nights.
There will also be an opportunity to be part of a group marching in the Parade on Saturday, August 26, under a Football Pride banner.
The event comes three years after the first Football Pride, an online festival that united an international audience during the pandemic-affected summer of 2020.
Football v Homophobia say: “Since then, the explosion of the women’s pro game and the proliferation of teams for women and non-binary people has brought much greater LGBTQ+ visibility to football.
“Meanwhile, representation is on the rise in the men’s game, with more stories shared, and more solidarity being shown – although significant challenges remain, such as we have seen in recent times on social media and at the FIFA World Cup.
“Football Pride offers a space and a state of mind to counter that negativity – to ‘unpark’ the bus and let individual flair flourish. The event has been welcomed with enthusiasm by the organisers of Manchester Pride.”
The Friday daytime schedule at Manchester Metropolitan University will feature a line-up of speakers and activities that promises to be bold and beautiful, queer and quirky, sporty and spicy – and always with an eye for goal.
Professional players, coaches and match officials will rub shoulders with fans, with several famous faces and impactful changemakers set to make appearances.
Members of the LGBTQ+ Professionals in Football Collective will be among those taking part, plus friends from Sports Media LGBT+, Pride in Football and others from the wider Football v Homophobia campaign family.
The Football Pride fun will begin on the evening of Thursday, August 24 in Manchester city centre, followed by the symposium at Manchester Metropolitan University on Friday, August 25, with the Manchester Pride parade itself on Saturday, August 26.
If you’re interested in getting involved in Football Pride, email jon@footballvhomophobia.com
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