Bankies become first junior club to sign LGBT Sports Charter

November 23, 2017

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Clydebank FC are delighted to become the first junior football club to sign up to the Scottish LGBT Sports Charter.

The charter has five principles for those delivering sport in Scotland to sign up to:

Take steps to actively involve LGBT people in sport and visibly support LGBT inclusion and equality.
Challenge homophobic and transphobic behaviour and ensure a positive and welcoming sporting environment for LGBT participants.
Develop policies and practices that are inclusive, informed by a better understanding of the issues and barriers for LGBT people and by taking advantage of training.
Work to further include trans people in sport by understanding the differing needs for trans participants and begin to reduce the barriers which prevent trans people from taking part in sport in their acquired gender.
Strive to make continuous improvements to greater include LGBT people in Scottish sport.

Also signing up to the charter today are: Dundee, Hamilton Accies, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Ross County, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Falkirk, St Mirren, Annan Athletic, Berwick Rangers, Clyde, Edinburgh City, Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion.

We join Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs, Partick Thistle, Rangers, St Johnstone, Dumbarton, Airdrie, Albion Rovers, Forfar, Elgin City and Peterhead.

Stuart Kelly, Clydebank FC Director said: “It’s an extremely important step for Clydebank as a club and we’re delighted to sign up to the LGBT Sports Charter.

“We’re the first junior club to sign up to the charter which is itself is a testament, but we find ourselves in good company with two thirds of SPFL clubs and the governing bodies also signed up.

“We’re very proud to stand as an inclusive partner with the LGBT community, and in particular to stand against any form of discrimination.”

Scott Cuthbertson, Development Manager of the Equality Network said: “With over half of SPFL clubs signed up to the LGBT Charter we’ve reached a milestone, but we’ve still a long way to go before we eliminate homophobia from the terraces.

“We’re looking forward to working with these clubs who today have made a commitment to LGBT supporters, officials and the next generation of LGBT players. Our door is always open to clubs who haven’t yet signed up and who want to make their club more inclusive.

“The charter states as its aim that “Scotland will be a country where everyone can take part, enjoy, and succeed in sport at all levels whatever their sexual orientation and gender identity”, it was developed in consultation with sports governing bodies (SGBs), other sports stakeholders and LGBT people.”

For more information on the LGBT Sports Charter visit – http://www.equality-network.org/sports-charter/