Transport for London supports Stonewall, Rainbow Laces Campaign

Arsenal Underground station hosted its first-ever rainbow zebra crossing over the weekend as part of Transport for London’s support for Stonewall’s 2014 Rainbow Laces campaign to kick homophobia out of football.

The rainbow crossing was created outside the entrance to Arsenal Tube station until Sunday, September 14 and Arsenal and Manchester City fans arriving at the station on Saturday for one of the biggest Premiership clashes of the season had the opportunity to be photographed as they walked across the colourful crossing.

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign saw footballers across England don rainbow-coloured laces on their boots this weekend, emphasising that homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse will not be tolerated in sport. People were encouraged to show their support via social media using the official campaign hashtag #RainbowLaces.

Richard Lane, Stonewall Media Manager, said: “We’re delighted that Transport for London is backing gay football fans and players by throwing their weight behind the #RainbowLaces campaign. We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive support from individuals and organisations who are all keen to kick homophobia out of our national game.”

TfL is committed to championing equality and eliminating discrimination. It has a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) network that is actively involved in community events and projects, celebrating the diversity of staff, customers and families.

In the past year alone, TfL has distributed Stonewall’s visitor guides to the city via its Travel Information Centres, run an inaugural Trans event, and installed the capital’s first rainbow zebra crossing for Pride in London. A London bus also featured in the Pride London march this year and TfL branded 75 Barclays Cycle Hire bikes with a special ‘Ride with Pride’ logo during Pride week.

Martyn Loukes, Chair of TfL’s LGBT+ Network, said: “We are delighted to support Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign. We hope that by installing a rainbow crossing, a symbol of diversity across the world, outside one of our busiest Tube stations we will create further awareness for the campaign.”