Manchester United joins Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme and strengthens commitment to make football everyone’s game
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS
Manchester United has come out swinging for LGBTQI equality in football today with the announcement of a new partnership with Stonewall, the UK’s leading charity LGBTQI equality. This initiative demonstrates the club’s strengthening commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion across the club, encompassing its All Red All Equal campaign, which has challenged hate crime and discrimination on social media, and promoted mental health awareness and gender equality.
As part of the partnership, Manchester United will sign up to Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, which helps employers embed LGBTQI inclusion in the workplace, and gain access to expert consultation, training and dedicated resources from Stonewall.
This will also include participation in Stonewall’s Workplace Allies programme to help non-LGBTQI employees across the club and Manchester United Foundation find ways to actively support, champion and promote an inclusive workplace culture.
The club has also supported Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, created an internal Pride Network for LGBTQI employees, and last year launched its first LGBTQI Supporters’ group, Rainbow Devils.
Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, said: “It’s so important for organisations to actively work towards making sport everyone’s game. Many LGBT+ people want to take part in sport, either as players or fans, but at the moment not everyone feels welcome. We also know that most sports fans want to see sports be better and more inclusive.”
“To make this happen, we need individuals and organisations to step up to show their support for LGBT+ people and that’s what Manchester United have done today. We’re excited to continue our journey with them from being a founding member of TeamPride, to now joining us as a Diversity Champion. We look forward to working with them to help further LGBT+ equality in football.”
This is a huge step forward for diversity and inclusion in sport and will see so many LGBTQI employees equal and represented in the workplace! 👏
