JBG? – HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA IN SPORT SURVEY.

JUST A BALL GAME?  MEDIA RELEASE                                      

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JBG? – HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA  IN SPORT SURVEY.

Violence, Harassment and repression of LGBT+ people still exists globally. 

Annually on May17th, IDAHOBIT- International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia is a co-ordinated International grass roots community date to raise awareness around LGBT+ visibility and inclusion, alongside encouraging society to take action against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

For this year’s IDAHOBIT theme of ‘Breaking The Silence’ JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) in partnership with LGBT Dorset Equality Network, have released a survey:  https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/justaballgame/ looking at homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport.

It is hoped that whatever the outcomes, and/or differences found to our survey results (and therefore hard evidence collated for use) a decade ago, we can implement the findings to engage in dialog with the policy makers, NGB’s, the media, employers and general public to take action against any discrimination, persecution or hate crime which LGBT+ people face.

Despite advancement over recent years with some athletes ‘coming out’ sports are still very much an area of perceived male, masculine dominance and achievement. Along with the breaking down of these stereotypes and challenging sexism and misogyny there is also a need to try and eradicate to a minimum all forms of discrimination. 

Our survey is anonymous, it will take you around 5 minutes to sign into and complete and will be available to fill out until 11^th July 2020.

We have allocated inclusive questions for both LGBT+ people and those who identify as heterosexual to answer to try and establish a balanced overview of what is relevant to all in 2020.

Survey link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/justaballgame/

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Contact for further information:

info@justaballgame.co.uk  

                             no10. recognition for JUST A BALL GAME? founder.

 

Here at JUST A BALL GAME? we are very proud to announce that our founder LINDSAY ENGLAND has been given a POINTS OF LIGHT award from British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.

Below is the media release from no10.

 

 Prime Minister's Office
10 Downing Street   

  

                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Just A Ball Game?

1182. Lindsay England

Lindsay England, originally from Bradford and living in Manchester, is the founder of ‘Just a Ball Game?’, an LGBT+ organisation campaigning to kick homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse and discrimination out of sport.

Lindsay, a lifelong Bradford City FC fan, originally started the organisation as a blog and then as a campaign organisation, which also project manages a women’s Futsal /5-a-side team locally in Manchester and the Bradford City LGBT+ Fan Group, a hub for LGBT+ supporters and non LGBT+ allies which aims to provide a safe space for fans and encourage greater inclusion in football and other sports.
 ‘Just a Ball Game?’ has since grown, aiming to raise the profile of LGBT+ people in sport and working with clubs and organisations at local and national level to promote inclusion. 

This work has included partnerships with ‘Kick It Out’, the anti-discrimination in football campaign, and the Home Office to issue LGBT-inclusive advice to match-day stewards. Lindsay has also worked with the TUC to design a toolkit for union officials offering practical advice on tackling homophobia at club level, and with the FA to host a conference at Wembley earlier this year discussing the most pressing issues facing the LGBT+ community in football.



In a personal letter to Lindsay, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Through ‘Just a Ball Game?’, you are sharing a powerful message of inclusion and equality for LGBT people in sport. Nobody should feel excluded from a sport that they love and your commitment to eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia is truly remarkable. I wish you the very best in your continued work.”

Lindsay said:
“Just a Ball Game? Was founded in 2010 because I wanted to be able to make a difference. The recognition through a Points of Light award is testimony to the hard work and dedication volunteers achieve when they are given support on their journey.
“Today’s LGBT+ celebrations are tomorrow’s LGBT+ history.”


JBG? website:  http://www.justaballgame.co.uk/

JUST A BALL GAME? #STRONGERTOGETHER SEMINAR.

                                                

                        #STRONGERTOGETHER- WEMBLEY STADIUM    

On Tuesday 5^th February JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) held #StrongerTogether their first ever seminar, as part of LGBT History Month 2019 celebrations. 

The event was hosted by The FA, whose chairman Greg Clarke mixed with delegates and the day was supported by UCFB, GMB Trade Union, KICK IT OUT (FFD), The Professional Footballers’ Association,and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Over ninety people gathered to hear speakers and guest panellists from a wide sector, all who had partnered with JBG? over the previous eight years. 

Two of JBG?’s patrons Adam McCabe and Neville Southall were speakers alongside former Women’s Football Association‘s Patricia Gregory, Bradford Labour councillor Richard Dunbar and Merseyside Police ACC, Julie Cooke, while K2 Collective provided the ‘half time’ entertainment.

One of the events presenters’ actor Kieran Hardcastle said, "The #StrongerTogether event provided a long overdue opportunity for key voices up and down the country to discuss pressing issues from the LGBT+ community, against the backdrop of the home of football, Wembley Stadium.”

“It is absolutely imperative that this wonderful forum of individuals, groups and associations continue to work and expand with JBG? and alongside each other, helping to nurture and develop the key messages of education and visibility. After-all continued visibility could eventually lead to a normalised culture for those that are not a part of it, and normalisation in turn starts to play a part in the way of acceptance. I look forward to seeing this implemented from the top down."

“Attending the Just a ball game? (JBG?) #StrongerTogether conference, was both inspiring and educational. With panel discussions, breakout sessions and numerous remarkable speakers the day really was one I’m glad I didn’t miss. It was quite evident early on that the #StrongerTogether theme was important, at a time when the country feels so divided.

Although the day was peppered with well known faces from the world of sport, my personal highlights were the talks from Merseyside Police Sgt Christian Owens, whose story of his transition offered an insight into life as a LGBT+ Police officer and was both inspiring and tear jerking.” Steve -Notts County’s LGBT Pies.

Alan Mercel-Sanca, JBG? Male Co-Chair, has this to say, “Our JBG? #StrongerTogether event will be seen as a turning point in the UK in sport and beyond where partnerships of dynamic kinds developed or became further consolidated. The spirit of the event was a 'can do, will do' one in which realisation of building a strong thriving inclusive society in which prejudice and its evils have a real sell by date coming, manifested through the realisation that this is only possible through the vision and character of real meaningful partnerships making us all- LGBT+, Allies, BME, #StrongerTogether! “ 

“The passion, the collective wisdom, expertise of all attending or speaking at this exceptional event was inspiring, and totally rooted in practical solutions, focus, real partnerships, not tokenistic ones, - JBG? #StrongerTogether sets the pattern for meaningful change. On that thousands upon thousands who could not attend or who were unaware of the event, will look back later with thanks and admiration for what was achieved on 5^th Feb 2019! “

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