The Rainbow Laces campaign was designed to bring visibility to LGBTQ acceptance in sports. It is overseen by Stonewall, an LGBTQ rights group in the United Kingdom. While it got its start in England, it has spread around the world, particularly in the sports of soccer and rugby. Rainbow Laces have even made an appearance at the Olympics.
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Rainbow Laces
Rainbow Laces show support for LGBTQ inclusion in sports.
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December 3, 2021
Premier League stars met with LGBTQ fan groups to commemorate Rainbow Laces
Through "Lace It Up and Speak Up," some of the U.K.’s best soccer players are communicating directly with their LGBTQ supporters.
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December 5, 2019
‘Chelsea rent boys’ fan chant won’t go away, even during Rainbow Laces campaign
In the middle of the Rainbow Laces campaign, a homophobic chant directed at Chelsea reminds Premier League fans of the problems embedded in soccer culture.
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October 22, 2019
Leaked messages reveal new leader of British soccer fan group has history of homophobia
Newly elected co-chair of The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust in the UK repeatedly flaunted his anti-LGBTQ views to other board members
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February 16, 2019
World’s first: British football club goes ‘full rainbow’
These uniform jerseys proclaim with pride: "Football v. Homophobia"
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December 6, 2018
English soccer player talks about being gay and the support she’s found
Gilly Flaherty plays for England’s national team and professionally for West Ham United.
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November 27, 2018
This gay soccer coach in Liverpool came out and everything went great
Greg McLean gives another face to the widespread acceptance of gay men in English soccer during the Rainbow Laces campaign.
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November 26, 2018
The rugby world defends out gay athlete, lashes out at homophobia
Rugby players around the world are wearing Rainbow Laces to show support for Gareth Thomas and gay athletes.
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November 12, 2018
Wembley Stadium to host landmark match for Rainbow Laces campaign
English soccer will again sport rainbows this month to demonstrate support for LGBTQ inclusion.
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February 9, 2018
Great Britain’s flag bearer Lizzy Yarnold wearing Rainbow Laces in Opening Ceremony
Team GB gave all of their athletes Rainbow Laces for the Winter Olympics.
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December 6, 2017
These 2 soccer execs wore LGBTQ rainbow pins to the World Cup draw in Russia
The Football Association chief and CEO both made a statement inside the Kremlin.
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November 27, 2017
English soccer, rugby teams wear pro-LGBT rainbow gear
Rainbow Laces has its largest visibility in fight against homophobia in sports.
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May 18, 2017
Greg Clarke is wrong about LGBT acceptance in English football
FA chief fails to see acceptance is here now.
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May 12, 2017
Manchester United hosting Rainbow Laces Summit for LGBT inclusion
Stonewall UK organizing May 15 LGBT sports summit.
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April 4, 2017
Australian athletes to wear LGBT rainbow laces this weekend
Campaign designed to raise awareness about homophobia.
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September 23, 2014
Rainbow Laces highlight gays in English soccer
Top teams like Arsenal and those at other levels wear the laces to show support for gay players.
