Proud Lilywhites marking 'Season of Action'
Proud Lilywhites, the official LGBT fans’ group for Tottenham Hotspur, are hosting a number of events this week to mark Kick It Out’s ‘Season of Action’ and Football v Homophobia’s (FvH) ‘Month of Action’.
The Proud Lilywhites kicked off the week-long activity by beating the Gay Gooners in their first annual pub quiz and today (3 February) sees both sets of fans taking to the field as they meet in a 5-a-side match at the Frederick Knight Sports Ground in north London.
This Saturday (7 February) is Tottenham’s dedicated ‘Season of Action’ fixture against Arsenal and Proud Lilywhites and Kick It Out are hosting a stand containing leaflets, sweets and stickers in Tottenham Square on the south-west corner of White Hart Lane.
Donna Cullen, Executive Director of Tottenham Hotspur, said: “It is unacceptable that anyone’s sexuality or gender should be an issue in an era and a world where being different isn’t that different and individuality is embraced.
“We as a club are committed to promoting equality and inclusion for all groups and cultures that exist within our diverse and vibrant community. For Spurs, success will be ensuring an environment where every fan, player and match official is free from any form of discrimination.”
Simon Gray, Communications Officer of Proud Lilywhites, stated:“Tottenham is well known for its rich ethnic and cultural diversity; extending this to encourage and welcome LGBT supporters demonstrates that Spurs really is a place for everyone to enjoy football regardless of sexuality or gender identity.
“Homophobia is the last bastion of discrimination on the terraces and we are proud to work with our fellow supporters who stand with us to rid this hate from our national game.”
In addition, later this month Darryl Telles, co-chair of Proud Lilywhites, will be delivering LGBT diversity training to Sports Coaching degree students studying with the Tottenham Hotspur Community Foundation.
Chris Paouros, the other Proud Lilywhites co-chair, has also been invited to speak on the panel as part of Women in Football’s LGBT History Month activities where she will be actively promoting the work of the fans’ group.