The Gay Gooners are Arsenal FC's official supporters' group for LGBT+ fans, formed with the aim of fighting homophobia in football.[1] They are the first and largest LGBT+ football fan group in England, with over a thousand members in the UK and overseas.[2][3] They function as a social group that provides a safe space for LGBT Arsenal fans to attend games together.[4][5] The formation of the Gay Gooners encouraged other football teams in the UK to start their own dedicated clubs tailored to gay supporters.[6]

History

The Gay Gooners were founded in February 2013 by Stewart Selby.[7] Carl Fearn and Joe White lead the group as founding members and co-chairs.[8] The Gay Gooners exist first and foremost as an Arsenal fan group but also operate politically and work with organizations such as Rainbow Laces and Kick It Out to raise awareness of homophobia in the game.[9]

In June 2014, the Gay Gooners became the first LGBT football supporters group to participate in London Pride.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Moss, Molly (14 March 2019). "Arsenal Gay Gooners: fighting homophobia in football". Islington Now. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "Gay Gooners". Gay Gooners. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. ↑ "Arsenal 'Gay Gooners': Biggest LGBT football supporters club in the world". Islington Gazette. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Robertson, Kirsten. "Gay Gooners celebrate 10 years as UK's first LGBT football supporters club". Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  5. ↑ Topping, Alexandra (21 April 2014). "Gay football fan groups take the lead on equal rights on the terraces and pitch". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "Football's LGBT fans want more help from clubs". BBC News. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  7. ↑ ""Gaygooners has changed my life in so many ways"". "Gaygooners has changed my life in so many ways". Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "'We love football as much as anyone else' – How the Gay Gooners and Arsenal are tackling homophobia | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Arsenal's Gay Gooners lead the way at London Pride". Sports Gazette. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ↑ Wood, Peter (28 June 2014). "Why the 'Gay Gooners' make me proud to be an Arsenal fan". Metro. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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