Perfecting policy & procedure and brushing up on knowledge are important steps in accomplishing the vision of LGBTIQ+ inclusion and tackling LGBTIQ+phobia. As these steps are largely internal, they can make a big impact on those in your organisation but can often go unnoticed by the wider community. So, when you have done something positive, SHOUT ABOUT IT!

Visibility of the work your organisation has done not only encourages others to do the same, but shows LGBTIQ+ people outside your network that you are making an effort to include them, encouraging those who have previously been apprehensive to get involved. Showing solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community is central in gaining trust and combatting prior discrimination. For many LGBTIQ+ people football has been a negative experience. Whether through playing as a young person, spectating on match days, or working in the world of football, there are wounds to be healed.

Look out for campaigns which can help your organisation with promotion, particularly those with exposure to an LGBTIQ+ audience. LGBT+ History Month takes place every February and we encourage you to engage through the concurrent Football v Homophobia Month of Action. The Month of Action gives your organisation an opportunity to showcase your good work and take your place in an international, united stand against homophobia in football. For teams, clubs, leagues and community foundations who are taking steps to tackle homophobia and include LGBTIQ+ people, becoming an FvH Champion is a highly visible means of showing your engagement. Signing up to the LGBT Sports Charter makes an overarching statement of intent about your organisation’s commitment to these issues.

Unchallenged LGBTIQ+phobia discourages people from participating in football. It creates an unsafe environment for LGBTIQ+ people, their families, and their friends, and it damages the reputation of the sport. By failing to respond to LGBTIQ+phobia your organisation encourages further discrimination and sends out a message that there is something wrong with being LGBTIQ+. It is on this aspect of communication that many football stakeholders fail, as they do not see this as their responsibility or are scared of a critical response from fans. However, in the circumstances where teams, clubs, leagues, coaches, players and bodies have publicly communicated their disapproval, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Plenty of LGBTIQ+ community groups exist in Scotland, many of which can be found at equality-network.org/resources/directory/ and leapsports.org/clubs. Of course, not all of the organisations listed know about FvH Scotland, but many of them would be happy to work in partnership with their local football stakeholders on a campaign to tackle LGBTIQ+phobia. By building links with these groups your organisation can harness local knowledge and expertise in LGBTIQ+ inclusion and reach new communities.