LGBT+ Participants Attend Blades Game!

Our Empower LGBT+ project provides physical activity and sport opportunities for LGBT+ young people aged 11 to 25 with the aim of improving physical and mental wellbeing, improving self-confidence and creating a more inclusive community for all.

On the 11th of September we provided 14 LGBT+ young people the opportunity to attend the SUFC home game vs. Peterborough United. As well as attending the game, we hosted a post-match pizza social in the Blades Family Hub which ended a fantastic day following the amazing 6-2 win for the Blades.

Empower LGBT+ Coordinator, Amy Hood commented, “It was amazing to welcome 14 young people to the game with this being the first ever football match for some, never mind their first live sporting event.”

One attendee said, “This is the first football game I’ve ever been to, and I feel like it’s given me more confidence to be able to come on my own in the future potentially”.

Another attendee commented, “I had so much fun, that my voice has now gone!”

There is a huge stigma around football and sport in general, and whether it is a safe place for LGBT+ communities. Our programme aims to challenge this stigma and remove the barriers many people face when coming to a football match. We don’t want football to be a place of homophobia, but a place for everyone. With the support of Sheffield United FC, Rainbow Blades, SayIt and everyone at The Foundation we provided these young people with the best first experience they ever could have imagined.

For more information about our Empower LGBT+ project please contact amy.hood@sufc-community.co.uk.