February is the international campaign month of Football v Homophobia (FvH) and Hitchin Town Women’s FC is supporting the initiative with our parent Club Hitchin Town FC. Sadly our fixtures fell to away matches and weather conditions meaning we had to push our FvH games to March 2022. FvH is a campaign uniting football in opposing homophobia and prejudice against LGBT+ people within football.

Year round, FvH enables people to take action against prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in football, and to celebrate and welcome diversity in the game. This culminates in an international show of support in February to raise awareness of the issue and to join together in making a visible stand against prejudice and for inclusion.

Hitchin Town Women’s FC is pleased to be supporting the campaign this season as part of the FvH grassroots initiative.

Karla Chaffey, Club Chairperson said ‘We can be proud that the United Kingdom are a world leader in advancing the LGBT rights but there is still a long way to go. We should not have to hide who we are or who we love. FvH are making concrete steps to deliver acceptance and awareness within the game we all love. I am proud that our club accept, encourage and promote our LGBT+ players, officials and spectators. Without them we do not have a game. It is time to stand united and tackle the hate that is found within football’.

Studies on homophobia in sport over the past ten years find that around 82% of respondents have witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport in the UK. Attitudes in football are changing but we all need to make sure that the language we use and the way we behave reflects this change. At Hitchin Town Women’s FC we believe we can make a real difference to the culture of football and we’d like your support. We know that change starts with education and Hitchin Town Women’s FC recognises it has a role to play in leading the way on raising awareness of homophobia and LGBT+ discrimination within the club and its community.

Hitchin Town Women’s FC believes in a game where LGBT+ people can be seen and heard, and valued for their contribution to football. Hitchin Town Women’s FC will work to create a safe and inclusive football environment where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions are welcome.

Hitchin Town Women’s FC will designating two games in support of the Football v Homophobia campaign this March:

SUNDAY 6TH MARCH 2022 – 14.00
HITCHIN TOWN WOMENS FC XI V GARSTON LADIES FC RESERVES

SUNDAY 20TH MARCH 2022 – 14.00
HITCHIN TOWN WOMENS CANARIES V BSC FC LADIES

This is an opportunity for our supports and friends to also get behind the campaign and show everyone that Hitchin Town Women’s FC s no place for hate or bigotry.

At our #FvH2022 designated games Hitchin Town Women’s FC will be making a pledge to improve our club by ‘continuing to make a safe, welcoming and positive atmosphere for all our spectators, players and officials. We will also host LGBT+ workshops for all to understand the challenges our LGBT+ community face’.

Find out more about Football v Homophobia campaign and action you can personally take in over the coming year by visiting www.footballvhomophobia.com

Twitter: @FvHTweets Instagram: FOOTBALL_V_HOMOPHOBIA Facebook: www.bit.ly/fvhpage