Rainbow Laces Campaign

[CBK]

According to Peachy, Saints are not taking part this weekend...

Simon Peach ‏@SimonPeach
#SaintsFC tell me they will not be wearing the rainbow laces, following the likes of #MUFC, #THFC, #SAFC & #NCFC.

If a homosexual man gets abused in Southampton over the weekend... it will be Saints fault. Clearly if they wore rainbow laces, descrimination would stop right there and then.

 

[pass the football]

Who is suggesting that? Surely you're not mocking a position which is held by nobody?

I don't really know the full background of this campaign, but I'd be interested to know the reasons we aren't supporting it. It's not going to end homophobia overnight but these things do have an effect.

 

[lamby]

I thought it was being left to individual players just not being dictated by clubs.

 

[Saint Birdsnest]

I can't remember who, but someone important was criticising the campaign because it reinforces stereotypes or something, and could potentially have an adverse effect on homophobia.

 

[CBK]

It's not going to end homophobia overnight but these things do have an effect.

Do they?

The media could do a lot more to stop bigotry, sexism & discrimination, but of course, many tabloids feed on it to sell their agenda... and make money.

Not up to football or sport to have the finger pointed at it by those in ivory towers.

 

[pass the football]

I can't remember who, but someone important was criticising the campaign because it reinforces stereotypes or something, and could potentially have an adverse effect on homophobia.

I think there's some division without the gay community about it. I think some have a problem with the name "right behind gay footballers", which does seem pretty juvenile.

Do they?

The media could do a lot more to stop bigotry, sexism & discrimination, but of course, many tabloids feed on it to sell their agenda... and make money.

Not up to football or sport to have the finger pointed at it by those in ivory towers.

Again, who's pointing fingers?

Football is very influential in society and has to take a position on these issues which affect it I think. The campaign against racism, though not a panacea, is widely regarded as successful, so why not campaign against homophobia too?

 

[Dan]

Quite a few other clubs are against it (as Peach pointed out, United, Spurs, Sunderland and Norwich so far). It's received criticism from other gay rights groups, and a lot see it as simply a PR campaign for Paddy Power.

 

[pass the football]

Quite a few other clubs are against it (as Peach pointed out, United, Spurs, Sunderland and Norwich so far). It's received criticism from other gay rights groups, and a lot see it as simply a PR campaign for Paddy Power.

Have any of them given reasons? And "not taking part" doesn't necessarily mean "against".

I wasn't actually aware of Paddy Power's involvement, but to give the other side of the story, it's supported by Stonewall who are one of the biggest gay rights campaign groups (if not the biggest) in this country. I'm not taking any position on this because as I say I don't know the full story, but just in the interest of balance there's some more information.

 

[rabbitspectrum]

Associating homosexuality with rainbow laces is an inane idea and a pathetic attempt at developing a proper understanding of homosexuality or homophobia. I'm not hugely bothered by the club promoting rainbow laces as not participating could reflect badly on the club.

Personally I would prefer the club to not participate in any social or political movement. I would rather they chose their own way of dealing with racism, sexism and homophobia, which would to me suggest that they actually cared about the issue rather than the appearance of caring which is what holding up "show racism the red card," and wearing rainbow laces is about imo.

 

[Dan]

Have any of them given reasons? And "not taking part" doesn't necessarily mean "against".

I wasn't actually aware of Paddy Power's involvement, but to give the other side of the story, it's supported by Stonewall who are one of the biggest gay rights campaign groups (if not the biggest) in this country. I'm not taking any position on this because as I say I don't know the full story, but just in the interest of balance there's some more information.

I think Norwich back the campaign but aren't taking part because of some commitment with SBOBET. Sunderland have said something about being unhappy with "third party input" (meaning Paddy Power), etc etc. Have a read of these:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24161011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24149109

I'm not sure what Southampton's reasons are (though I'd be very interested to hear). I know the saying "Right Behind Gay Footballers" has criticism for being a typically Paddy Power-esque insensitive catchphrase.

 

[Joe!]

It is a stupid campaign and it's not going to be changing anything. Homophobic people aren't going to change their minds after seeing something like that.

 

[ChrisMarsdenFootballGenius]

The fact that it's a bit controversial had caused discussion, and may actually have more effect than if it had happened across the board with little more than a nod of approval. Hopefully good will come of it.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Joey Barton is promoting this campaign and that's a good enough reason not to get involved. Wouldn't want Saints to get near anything touched by that violent, racist, bigoted asshole.

 

[Clem Fandango]

I can't remember who, but someone important was criticising the campaign because it reinforces stereotypes or something, and could potentially have an adverse effect on homophobia.

Rainbows, innuendo, the very things this campaign is using, are surely the kind of thing they're trying to get rid off? I know Brighton supporters groups have always complained about homophobic language at matches and always had it dismissed as 'banter'.

 

[Beef]

So their motto is 'right behind gay footballers'? Kinda taking the piss a bit aren't they?

 

[Joe!]

Rainbows, innuendo, the very things this campaign is using, are surely the kind of thing they're trying to get rid off? I know Brighton supporters groups have always complained about homophobic language at matches and always had it dismissed as 'banter'.

I'm pretty sure we even had a discussion on here (or the old 606) a while back, where many posters argued that there's nothing wrong with the "gay banter" at Brighton games. That really opened my eyes.

 

[CBK]

Football is very influential in society and has to take a position on these issues which affect it I think. The campaign against racism, though not a panacea, is widely regarded as successful, so why not campaign against homophobia too?

Do you think that football should take a position on immigration? Syria? Antartica oil drilling? Dwarf rights?

The "kick it out" campaign did absolutely naff all to stop racism. The bigots still exist and they are still teaching their kids to hate in the same ways.

Education through school and a responsible media would have a much greater impact than football doing something for one Saturday a year.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Do you think that football should take a position on immigration? Syria? Antartica oil drilling? Dwarf rights?

The "kick it out" campaign did absolutely naff all to stop racism. The bigots still exist and they are still teaching their kids to hate in the same ways.

Education through school and a responsible media would have a much greater impact than football doing something for one Saturday a year.

Agree with this. Football is very influental when it comes to young lads copying footballers themselves (spitting, wanting flash cars, tattoos), but people don't just believe in what they're told to. The sale of rainbow laces might go up, but the homophobia will continue.

 

[Piebacca]

The way to deal with homophobia is the same way you deal with any other form of discrimination. Education. Not grandiose publicity stunts that ultimately achieve nothing.

 

[pass the football]

I think Norwich back the campaign but aren't taking part because of some commitment with SBOBET. Sunderland have said something about being unhappy with "third party input" (meaning Paddy Power), etc etc. Have a read of these:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24161011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24149109

I'm not sure what Southampton's reasons are (though I'd be very interested to hear). I know the saying "Right Behind Gay Footballers" has criticism for being a typically Paddy Power-esque insensitive catchphrase.

Ah that'll be it then. We have a partnership with SBOBET as well.

Do you think that football should take a position on immigration? Syria? Antartica oil drilling? Dwarf rights?

The "kick it out" campaign did absolutely naff all to stop racism. The bigots still exist and they are still teaching their kids to hate in the same ways.

Education through school and a responsible media would have a much greater impact than football doing something for one Saturday a year.

Not really no. But fans in the stands aren't chanting about Syria are they?

Bigots still exist yes, but it sends a message to normal people, and kids, that it's not ok to use discriminatory language.