FvH Scotland x STV Pride Month of Action Launch
31st January 2025
Article written by Andrew Henderson from Pride of the Terraces.
The 2025 Football v Homophobia month of action was launched in Scotland with the help of some of Scottish football’s trailblazers.
Hosted by 2024 FvH Scotland Award nominee Ronnie Charters at STV’s studio in Glasgow, it was a chance for organisers, stakeholders and members of the LGBTIQ+ community to come together.
Kicking off the evening was opening remarks from Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport. It was also announced by STV News Editor, Andrew Browne that STV will be broadcasting a series of features for the month of action, showcasing the work that is being done at all levels of the sport to make football a more inclusive space for LGBTIQ+ people.
Then taking centre stage was Football v Homophobia campaign director Lou Englefield and Leap Sports executive director Hugh Torrance, who spoke about the background to the campaign – both in general and in Scotland – as well as reasons to be optimistic amid a rising tide of anti-LGBTIQ+ hate.
The main event of the evening was a panel discussion with Football v Transphobia campaign lead Natalie Washington, Glasgow City co-founder Laura Montgomery, former Rangers manager Amy McDonald and Scotland’s first openly gay male footballer Zander Murray.
Amy McDonald has worked closely with Leap Sports and the Football v Homophobia campaign since becoming a trustee of the charity last year, and commented: “Football v Homophobia is there to recognise, celebrate and talk about two worlds that don’t often collide together.
“I just try to use my experience to connect two worlds that often don’t understand each other - and that’s not always through hate.
“There’s so much misinformation about everything now, and with AI you don’t know what’s real and what’s not.
“Everyone can be someone’s safe space. You have to recognise the power of that.”
Scottish Women’s Football are big backers of the campaign and for the third year their clubs will dedicate fixtures over the Valentine's weekend. Glasgow City FC are dedicating their fixture against Montrose on the 9th.
Club chief executive Laura Montgomery said: “It’s really important to Glasgow City that we do make a difference. We’re a small club, but even a small club can influence others.
“The women’s game was our inclusive space growing up, but for a male it’s the least inclusive space. What Zander has done there is massive, and that’s how small things we do can make all the difference.”
Zander Murray himself has dedicated his time to making a positive change in the culture of the game since retiring from playing, visiting clubs and academies to tell his story alongside the Time for Inclusive Education campaign.
He said: “Everyone has to play their part. I’m trying to sink my teeth into it as much as possible.
“Have we seen progress? Absolutely but we need to be aware of current affairs and continue to challenge that.
“I was worried when I stopped playing about where I would get that fire in my belly from, but I will be in this until the day I die. If I can help one kid I will take all the daggers in my back.”
Shortly after Football v Homophobia, the focus will turn to Football v Transphobia at the end of March, culminating in Trans Day of Visibility.
“At the moment Football v Transphobia is very relevant, and people can’t help but notice how relevant it is,” Natalie Washington said.
“We all know how wonderful football is, and trans people have a right to that as well.
“Sport has become this incredible battleground for attacking trans people, and football stands alone in letting trans people play as much as it does. You’re just always wondering if it will be taken away from you at some point.”
Dedicated fixtures kick of this weekend with Partick Thistle men's dedicating their match against Greenock Morton on the 1st of February to the campaign. Then throughout February clubs at all flights of Scottish football will take a stand against discrimination.
The month will culminate in the FvH Awards being hosted in Scotland for the first time, in Glasgow's iconic Oran Mor on the 7th of March. Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite here.
