Thread by @LizMaryWard

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I've worked with players all around the world discussing the challenges and conflicts with LGBTQ+, Religion, Identity, Leadership and campaigns.

Here are my thoughts:

When people feel as though they are being 'told' to do something, as opposed to really understanding 'why' they're doing something, conflict will arise. When you then bring into question values and beliefs, the conflict becomes severe, wide reaching, and impossible to combat

this is true of any workplace, no less professional football.

Academy environments have extensive education and training. I really believe leagues and governing bodies are committed to ensuring academy players have the knowledge. But one 45 min session/talk is never enough

furthermore - first team environments are a completely different space. Players aren't having regular conversations about race, gender, sexuality or any other protected characteristic.

Clubs, with the best intentions, often tell players what campaign they will taking part in

some of those campaigns will really align with player values, such as No Room for Racism. Some will be in total contradiction, such a Rainbow Laces or the Poppy. Players pushing back on this is always going to cause conflict - what we can't do is employ a false equivalence

e.g. why does X player take the knee for racism, but not wear a Rainbow - why do you think?

LGBTQ+ rights are under attack globally - it's been a focal point of almost every major election in the west. Not only that, players are more religious, and more expressive of that religion. We have to have a hard conversation and address that.

As a catholic my faith doesn't accept me. That's the starting point. And I'm pretty damn gay.

So how do we think players are understanding that, who may have little to no proximity to LGBTQ+ people and communities?

There is no time set aside to talk with players about how Christianity and islam discusses LGBTQ+ identities. I had a conversation just this week about this with academy players - and as I said to them, we could do a dissertation on this. It's the crux of theological thinking

So, my point being, first team players aren't having this conversation. Instead they are being told to wear laces/an armband/a warm up top because they 'have to'.
I've seen players be told that it's part of their contract, threatened with a breach if they don't take part.

that undermines LGBTQ+ inclusion. FWIW I think Stonewall has strategically deprioritised sport, at a time when a human rights org is required to have a credible voice on this issue. If I'm a player - I don't actually know why I'm wearing the laces at this point.

So why would I potentially put my family in harm, my values on the line, and impact my relationship with god (rightly or wrongly) for the sake of a campaign I don't understand? I wish we would have a little empathy for the conflict that some of these players find themselves in

I'm Caribbean. it's no longer illegal to be gay in st kitts. when was that passed? 2022. do you think I'm going to be waving a rainbow around my family all day? I think deeply and seriously about the ways in which my job can potentially impact my safety. And i'm a nobody!

So what do you think the impact might be for football players? I'm not saying this excuses not wearing the rainbow but I beg that we begin to apply a little critical thought amidst this conflict.

Instead, we need better communication and player involvement in campaigns such as this. When I've been lucky enough to speak with 1st team players on a 1-2-1 basis on this, understanding of the 'why' becomes clear and evident.

My suggestion? Managers, coaches, technical staff all need to be both cognisant and fluent in the language of EDI issues. 1st teams need a player ambassador who is willing to be an ally. Academies need more than one 45min session to underpin their learning.

In the run up to RL or Pride, players, managers, agents need to understand the *why* and not just be told to deliver upon a campaign. I say this as a lesbian - I don't *want* to have to explain my identity to anyone, but as an educator, a catholic and an activist - I do.

that's my job, literally.

We need to build empathy and understanding, instead of 'i told you so' and shaming clubs and players into doing it.

and we NEED to stop comparing it to No Room for Racism. and we NEED to stop asking fan groups to do this work.

On captains: That's a leadership role, and I do expect better of leaders. I also understand that individuals will have views and beliefs - in my opinion, that should necessitate another player taking the armband for that particular game. I don't think that's controversial.

On Captains 2: the PL has an issue with leadership and I think we are in a period of football where captains in general are pretty poor...but I digress.

On players - I would much rather clubs put £££ into training, education and support at a *first team* level, than continuing to make the headlines for lack of ambition around Rainbow Laces.

Clubs: stop asking your LGBTQ fan groups to do this work. please work with experts.

Posts will get hate - this has increased tenfold in the last three years. I think it's okay to limit comments. I also think it's okay to realise that hateful people exist on the internet and there are many many many many people within football who don't have that view.

finally - and as a catholic i have to say this - if you're going to deface your armband in support of your faith, writing 'i love jesus' is objectively funny and has very big year 9 PHSE energy. write leviticus 18:22 if you're bad!!!!!