Brentford FC CST sessions provide a safe space for all

Brentford FC CST support the LGBTQI+ community during Pride month 2021

It’s estimated that around six percent of the population are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans; in football terms that’s more than 2,000 LGBTQI+ fans at an average Premier League game or 5,000 at Wembley. 

And yet more needs to be done to curb the homophobic abuse regularly heard in English and Welsh Football stadia, or to make LGBTQI+ supporters feel welcome across the game. 

Brentford Football Club is striving to become the most inclusive club in the country; this will mean working to include all communities equally, in our stadium, across our staff and at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. Non-Executive Director Monique Choudhuri spoke in depth about this ambition with FIFA.com earlier this year. 

The Club is proud to work closely with the LGBeeTs supporters’ group. As part of our involvement in the Football v Homophobia campaign in February, Allan Steele (B Team Technical Lead and Assistant Coach), Molly O’Reilly (Brentford Women’s FC), and Kate Graham (LGBeeTs) sat down to discuss some key issues facing the football community. 

This season Brentford will be teaming up with London members of ‘Out and About’ LGBTQI+ to arrange a visit the stadium on a matchday. Out and About LGBTQ is a new group that connects the LGBTQIA community through shared experiences. One of the key focus areas for them is inclusive sport and people coming together to enjoy sport and socialising but also sending out positive messages about including gay women.  

Co-Founder of Out and About LGBTQ, Polly Shute, who is also a Brentford fan, said: “It’s really exciting to be able to work with Brentford on this project. Their ambition to be the country’s most inclusive club can only come to fruition if they engage directly with all local communities, making sure all are welcome. We think this project gives Brentford the chance to be a winner both on and off the pitch.”. 

Our sessions are open to all and provide a safe space for participants to express themselves without being judged. Explore our website to find out what we have to offer from football to gymnastics aged 18 months to 60+. To find out more click here.