Football teams across the Scottish Premier Football League have signed up to the Scottish LGBT Sports Charter.
The charter states: ‘Scotland will be a country where everyone can take part, enjoy, and succeed in sport at all levels. Whatever their sexual orientation and gender identity.’
It also includes a set of five principles which aim to remove the barriers to sport for LGBT people.
This is the first time so many football clubs in Scotland have made a commitment to better include LGBTI people.
There are over 10 clubs today (5 August) signing up to the charter.
Over 10 clubs sign up today
Scott Cuthbertson, Development Manager of the Equality Network said: ‘We’re delighted that these clubs, from across all four SPFL divisions, are today making a commitment to LGBT supporters, officials and the next generation of LGBT players.
Today’s message is loud and clear. Everyone is welcome at football and we are working for a more inclusive game.
We don’t yet have any openly LGBT professional players in the men’s professional game in Scotland. But we know there are plenty of LGBT fans.
Thank you to those clubs who have already taken this step. Our door is always open for clubs who haven’t yet signed up and want to make their club more inclusive.’
A study by the Equality Network identified football as having the biggest challenges to overcome in relation to LGBTI inclusivity.
The 2012 study showed 57% of LGBT people would be more likely to participate in sport if it was more LGBTI friendly.
The Equality Network is a national Scottish LGBTI equality and human rights charity.
