Manchester United joins forces with Stonewall to improve LGBT+ inclusion in football
Manchester United teams up with Stonewall to promote LGBT+ inclusion (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Manchester United has entered into a strategic partnership with Stonewall to strengthen the club’s work promoting LGBT+ inclusion.
The club has signed up to Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, which ensures all LGBT+ staff are accepted without exception in the workplace.
The LGBT+ charity will help the club with resources and training. Manchester United will also participate in Stonewall’s Workplace Allies programme which encourages non-LGBT+ employees become better allies to the community.
Richard Arnold, Manchester United group managing director, said: “We’re immensely proud of our relationship with Stonewall and delighted to be taking it to the next level with this strategic partnership. Diversity is a source of strength for Manchester United and ensuring a welcoming environment for LGBT+ employees and fans is a crucial part of that.
“We’re committed to making equality, diversity and inclusion integral to the way we work and this partnership with Stonewall will help us achieve that important goal, building on the range of other initiatives we have under way as part of our All Red All Equal campaign.”
Chief executive of Stonewall, Nancy Kelley, explained how important it was for organisations to make “sport everyone’s game”.
“To make this happen, we need individuals and organisations to step up to show their support for LGBT+ people and that’s what Manchester United has done today.” Kelley said.
“We’re excited to continue our journey with them from being a founding member of TeamPride, to now joining us as a Diversity Champion. We look forward to working with them to help further LGBT+ equality in football.”
Eric Najib, leader of Manchester United’s official LGBT+ supporters club Rainbow Devils, said that they are proud to support and work with a club that is creating an “inclusive environment for LGBT+ people.”
“There is still a lot more work to do, but this partnership with Stonewall is another welcome step in the right direction,” Najib continued.
Manchester United was the first football club to join Stonewall’s TeamPride coalition in 2017. The club used its platform to promote equality and tackle discrimination in sport.
It further committed itself to the fight for equality through its award-winning ‘All Red All Equal’ campaign. The campaign has challenged hate crime on social media and spoke about mental health awareness and gender equality. In addition the club has also supported Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.
