News story

PM shows red card to homophobia in sport

Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed leading sports stars to Number 10 to show support for a Government initiative to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Tennis great Billie Jean King and rugby stars Gareth Thomas and Ben Cohen were present as well as representatives from sports governing bodies.

In March the Government launched a charter for action to rid sport of homophobia and transphobia and make sport a welcome place for everyone. The charter is backed by sports governing bodies including the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Football Association, the Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union.

Speaking at the reception, the PM praised the efforts sports governing bodies were taking to stamp out homophobia and transphobia.

I think it is great that tonight, in Number 10, we have got representatives and governing bodies of almost every single sport that I could think of, here signing a charter saying it’s time to put an end to homophobia and it’s time to give sports stars who want to come out the confidence to come out.

Mr Cameron also wrote an article for Pink News, where he urged everyone involved in sport to sign the charter and make a public declaration of their commitment to this cause.

The PM wrote:

Homophobia and transphobia is totally unacceptable in sport as it is in wider society and only by working together, sharing best practice and encouraging one another will we defeat it.

Read more:  Sports Charter for Action

Read more: David Cameron’s article in Pink News

Sign-up: Sports Charter for Action on Facebook

Download: Tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport - A Charter for Action

Published 23 June 2011