Dr Kate M. Graham, Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Westminster, took part in the LGBT+ history month webinar for Brentford Football Club (FC), as part of their involvement in the Football v Homophobia campaign.
Dr Kate M. Graham is part of the LGBT+ Brentford FC fan club, the LGBeeTs, who have received a lot of support from Brentford FC. Alongside Kate in the webinar was B-Team Technical Lead and Assistant Coach Allan Steele and Brentford FC Women’s team player Molly O’Reilly. They discussed some of the key issues facing Brentford and the wider football community.
When asked about whether football has become more inclusive, Kate spoke about how things have improved, but there is still more to be done. Displaying rainbow flags which advertise fan groups and social media fan pages are some of the positive changes that have taken place, but Kate is hesitant to say that football is completely inclusive, although it has come a long way.
The webinar participants also discussed what people can do as individuals to help the LGBT+ football community, emphasising the importance of education and individual learning. Kate discussed the importance of speaking up and being an active ally, not just to big moments of homophobia such as violence, but also to those small moments which are just as harmful.
Talking about football and homophobia, Kate said: “Obviously football and Brentford FC still have a lot of work to do in the fight against both homophobia and racism, but Brentford have publicly claimed that they want to be the most inclusive club in the country, which is amazing for me, a queer fan, to hear. To then see the club trying to do the work to become more inclusive is great and I’m really pleased to be able to take part in these conversations between fans, players and the club and to contribute to the educational work that needs to be done.”
Watch the webinar on the Brentford FC website.
