Football v Homophobia

For the first time in more than seven years, LGBTQ supporters’ groups from across British football are gathering for a major event.

There are now more than 50 groups within the Pride in Football alliance, and at ‘Stronger Together’ in Nottingham on October 3, the rise in reports of homophobia in the game and recently introduced EHRC guidance will be among the talking points.

On this episode of the FvH Podcast, two LGBTQ fan group leaders join host Jon Holmes to preview the event and share their stories. 

Cass Hyde is the co-chair of Rainbow Devils, Manchester United’s group, and also a Pride in Football committee member. She has advice for trans and non-binary fans and explains why the new LGBTQ Supporters’ Group Toolkit is such a valuable resource.

Martin Hyland founded Proud Forest in 2023; earlier this year, he collected an FvH Award on behalf of the group for its impactful work. He talks about the importance of making regional connections and has a message for any newcomers thinking about attending in Nottingham.

The FvH Podcast is produced by Sports Media LGBT+.

Links…

Rainbow Devils - https://rainbowdevils.com/ 

Proud Forest- https://proudforest.co.uk/ 

Pride in Football - https://www.prideinfootball.org.uk/ 

‘Stronger Together’ on Oct 3: Info and tickets - https://thefsa.org.uk/event/the-forum-stronger-together/ 

Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/ 

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.

We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can find us on other social platforms too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/ 

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US 

How many talented players give up on football at a young age because of homophobia? Ouissem Belgacem was one of those players, a highly-rated defender in Toulouse’s academy and a Tunisia youth international. But he quit football, aged just 20, pushed out by the sport he still loves.

Belgacem is now one of the most influential LGBTQ voices in France. He’s an author, public speaker and a documentary film-maker, and he’s just been named on the Outsports Soccer Power 26 list of impactful LGBTQ people in the men’s game, from around the world.

In 2021, he gave FvH Podcast host Jon Holmes an exclusive feature interview for Sky Sports. Five years later, Jon and Ouissem reunite for a conversation about his inspirational work, his disappointment in the French league and FIFA, his thoughts on the World Cup and the ‘Pride Match’ between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, and why his current role-model athletes come from tennis and basketball, not football.

Tune in to hear from a former footballer who didn’t just come out publicly as gay but has now dedicated his life to making the game better for the next generation.

“I'm not sure I feel proud of being gay or being Arab. I think what I'm proud of is the journey I took to be OK with who I am and to celebrate my identities."

Please support the FvH Podcast by leaving a rating and a review. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share far and wide to help us build our audience.

Follow us on social media - we're active on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and other platforms.

Links

Football v Homophobia - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/

Ouissem on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ouissembelgacem

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

The build-up to the 2026 World Cup has been stormy and turbulent… any sign of a rainbow?

Possibly! Football unites the world (apparently) - and as always, LGBTQ+ football folks look set to make themselves seen and heard during the biggest sports event on Planet Earth.

This special episode of the FvH Podcast looks at the Men’s World Cup through a queer lens. Host Jon Holmes from FvH and Sports Media LGBT+ is joined by:

• Becky Thompson: A London-based Canadian sports journalist covering the impact of the World Cup on the LGBTQ+ community, for Sky Sports
• Dr. Nas Mohamed: A Qatari-American LGBTQ+ rights activist based in the Bay Area, who is spearheading a new World Cup campaign
• Marion Reimers: An award-winning Mexican sports broadcaster and prominent women's and LGBTQ+ rights campaigner
• Eric Wahl: An LGBTQ+ advocate, educator, and Seattle Pride Match Impact Committee member, based in another of the U.S. host cities, Kansas City

Whether you’re excited for the tournament or have complex feelings about this World Cup, this Pride-themed episode offers vital perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else.

Don't forget to share, subscribe, rate, and review!

Links...

Football v Homophobia - ⁠footballvhomophobia.com⁠

Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/ 

Becky’s World Cup reporting on Sky Sports - https://sportsmedialgbt.short.gy/41Lz1O 

‘Love is the Goal’ on Alwan Foundation - https://www.alwanfoundation.org/ 

⁠

Me & You by MusicbyAden | ⁠https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden⁠  

Music promoted by ⁠https://www.free-stock-music.com⁠  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

⁠https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US⁠ 

Luke Tuffs has been a first-team coach and manager in non-league football for more than a decade.

From being a key figure in Hartley Wintney's FA Cup and FA Vase runs, to taking the managerial reins at Knaphill, Ashford Town (Middlesex) and Leatherhead, he has considerable coaching experience in the semi-professional scene.

In his second spell at Ashford Town, he recently led the team to a league title and promotion back to Step 4, at the first time of asking.

In all this time, he's been out as gay, providing rare representation for the LGBTQ+ community in men's football.

On this episode, he joins FvH's Jon Holmes for a chat about the Tangerines' 2025/26 triumph; what it's really like to be a non-league boss; his unique journey in the game; and a new responsibility he recently took on - becoming a dad.

Links...

Football v Homophobia - footballvhomophobia.com

⁠Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC - ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US 

February marks the Football v Homophobia Month of Action, and for Premier League clubs and fan groups, there's a fresh initiative from the Premier League - it's called 'With Pride'.

Across consecutive match rounds, there will be a focus on education and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community in the game, as the league moves on from the long-running Rainbow Laces campaign.

On this episode of the FvH Podcast, host Jon Holmes of Sports Media LGBT+ is joined by the chairs of two of the Premier League's biggest LGBTQ fan groups - Tracy Brown of Chelsea Pride, and Stephen "Wiggy" Wignal of Leeds United's Marching Out Together.

Tracy and Wiggy discuss their hopes for 'With Pride' and their groups' experiences of homophobia in the last year or so, including a shocking incident at an away game for Wiggy's friend and fellow MOT member, Andrew Tilly. We hear about what happened from Andrew, in his own words (contains mention of discriminatory language).

Clubs, teams, leagues, fan groups etc are encouraged to sign up and support #FvH2026, wherever they are in the world. Just head to footballvhomophobia.com/moa to register for FREE and be part of the FvH Champions roster. There's plenty of info about the campaign on the website, plus get your T-shirt and items to wear on 'Wear It Black & Pink Day' on February 19th.

Links...

FvH - footballvhomophobia.com

Chelsea Pride - chelseapride.co.uk

Marching Out Together - marchingouttogether.co.uk

Sports Media LGBT+ - sportsmedialgbt.com

'Rainbow Laces out, pride-themed footballs in? Premier League to launch new LGBTQ+ campaign' (Adam Crafton, The Athletic)

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, LinkedIn, and X.

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US 

To mark Trans Awareness Week 2025, we’ve got a question of sport for you - where did all the trans footballers go?

Despite attempts to erase what is a very small group, and from the women’s grassroots game in particular, these players have by no means packed their boots away.

With the support of many inspirational clubs and leagues, the action and the activism continues.

On this special Football v Transphobia episode, the campaign’s lead Natalie Washington joins Sports Media LGBT+’s Jon Holmes along with two great guests from Goal Diggers FC - Billie Sky Walker and club chair Gaia Laidler - for a chat.

Like Natalie, Billie has been visible in the media and on social media as a trans woman impacted by the ban. Here, they both describe where they’re at with football six months down the line, and the paths to play that are still open to them.

Along with Gaia, they also provide guidance and suggestions for listeners who want to create and access trans-inclusive football spaces for themselves, in their local communities.

It’s an ultimately uplifting listen, even while there’s still so much that we’re all fighting for.

Links…

Billie Sky Walker on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/billie.skywalker 

Goal Diggers FC - https://www.instagram.com/goaldiggers_fc 

Natalie Washington on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/transsomething 

Football v Homophobia - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/ 

Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/ 

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast! Please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. Connect with us on social media - Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

Having scored more than 200 goals for his local club, based in a small village in Somerset, Callum Hodge can say with confidence that he’s made his mark in grassroots football.

Millions of men across the U.K. play at a similar level every week - but Callum’s story is unusual. He came out as gay in his early 20s and has carried on playing into his late 30s. He’s yet to meet another player at this level who’s out as gay or bi to everyone in their county league.

Callum knows that homophobic language is a major reason why the vast majority of gay guys like him remain hidden in football. But with his team, Chew Magna FC - who have been amazing allies - he’s taking action. They recently walked off the pitch in protest due to a discriminatory slur, with the incident now under investigation.

Sadly, it’s not the first time Callum has faced homophobia on the field. Now he wants to help bring about change for the benefit of other LGBTQ players, especially those struggling with their sexuality.

On this episode of the FvH Podcast, he talks to Jon Holmes about the good, the bad and the ugly of grassroots men’s football; why he’s extra proud to be an Aston Villa fan; and shares his coming out story, in support of National Coming Out Day on October 11.

Links..

FA investigates alleged homophobic slur at match (BBC Bristol, 29 Sep 2025) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c07v0z5ngzdo

'Alarming' rise in reports of homophobia in grassroots football highlighted by FvH campaign (Sports Media LGBT+, December 2024) - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/grassroots-football-homophobia-anti-gay-lgbtq-discrimination-disciplinary-review

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.

We're at @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; and you can find us on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/ 

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US

‘Footballer’ - that’s what is written in Lars Fellows’ Instagram bio, along with Pride flags and a kiss emoji for the TV show that’s changed his life.

Lars is our guest on a special episode of the FvH Podcast. The first-ever trans contestant on the BBC’s ‘I Kissed a Boy’ shares his football story in the media for the first time, and it’s an enthralling tale.

As an Under-18, he played at a high level with a professional club set-up and could have pursued a career overseas. But there was a decision to make, one that took him out of football for a long time. Eventually, he'd rediscover his passion for playing with an LGBTQ-inclusive club, one that has become very close to his heart.

Speaking to Jon Holmes from FvH / Sports Media LGBT+, Lars also looks back on a summer that's made him a famous name in queer households and has brought him some amazing opportunities, such as at Pride in London.

He talks about his passion for the club he’s supported since childhood, and why he’s excited to be a part of Football Pride, the big FvH summer get-together event happening at The Y Theatre in Leicester on Friday 29 August 2025 (10am to 5pm).

You could be there too! Read more info and grab a ticket here - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/join-us-at-football-pride-2025-in-leicester-on-29-august/

Follow Lars on socials - https://linktr.ee/larsfellows

Discover the previous episode with IKAB's Jordan Burrow - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/jordan-b-from-i-kissed-a-boy-on-fvh-podcast/

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.

We're at @footballvhomophobia.com on Bluesky; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can like us on Facebook too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/ 

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US 

The sun may have set on the masseria for another year, but don’t worry... we’ve got one of the lads from hit TV show ‘I Kissed A Boy’ season 2 right here, on the FvH Podcast!

Not only was Jordan Burrow one of our faves from this latest series, but he also showed his football credentials by donning a tangerine kit to honour footballer Jake Daniels, who’s still the only out gay player in the men’s game in England since sharing his story three years ago.

Jordan joins Jon Holmes from FvH and Sports Media LGBT+ for a chat about all things LGBTQ+ in the game, how he came out to his Man Utd-loving dad and brother, his thoughts on what smaller clubs can do to make gay fans feel more welcome, and his future plans…

Links..

Jordan Burrow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jordanburrow 

Football v Homophobia Shop - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/shop/ 

Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/ 

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials. Connect with us on social media - Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US 

It’s party time! The Football v Homophobia campaign is in the mood for dancing because Awards Night is here once again - and this year, we’re all going to Glasgow!

This is the sixth staging of the only event of its kind, recognising outstanding achievement in the field of LGBTQ+-inclusive football - from the professional clubs setting the standard, to the fan groups that are bringing folks back to the game, to the FvH Heroes going above and beyond… their moment of acclaim is here, and we just can’t wait to celebrate.

To preview the Awards in this special episode, we’re joined by two guests who know the Scottish game inside out, and not least the city’s LGBTQ+ football scene - it’s Amanda Aitken and Megan Thomas from The Sideline podcast.

Since it started in May 2024, Amanda and Megan’s pod has quickly become a must-listen, mixing big interviews with the likes of Tessel Middag and Elaine C. Smith, alongside truly nourishing natters with grassroots champions like Glasgow Pride Community Football, Cathkin Blazes, Glasgow Saints, to name but a few.

If you’re hitting play before Awards Night on Friday 7 March, consider this your essential preview (and if you haven’t yet bought a ticket, hurry! Link below)... if you’re late to this episode, fear not, as there’s still loads to enjoy, as The Sideline duo spill the beans on podcasting, their own club Camp Hellcats FC, their dream guests, and much more.

Links..

The Sideline Podcast - https://podfollow.com/1749278705 

The Sideline on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_thesidelinepodcast/ 

Buy FvH Awards Night tickets! - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-v-homophobia-awards-night-2025-tickets-1216203149359 

FvH Awards 2025 shortlists - https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/football-v-homophobia-awards-2025-shortlists-announced/ 

Sports Media LGBT+ - https://sportsmedialgbt.com/ 

Thank you for listening to the FvH Podcast - please subscribe, rate, review and share on socials.

We're at @FvHtweets on Twitter / X; @football_v_homophobia on Instagram; and you can find us on Bluesky, Facebook and Threads too. Our website is https://www.footballvhomophobia.com/ 

Me & You by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden  

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com  

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US