Proud Lilywhites first international tour in Fiorentina

Our members went to the UEL away match to Fiorentina on February 26th and during the visit took the time to visit the Bologna Lesbian and Gay Centre, where they met members of Bugs Bologna, the LGBT football team. 

We were put in contact with Bugs by FARE, an umbrella organisation that brings together individuals, informal groups and organisations driven to combat inequality in football.  The two groups exchanged experiences, momentos and shared good practice and advice.  We were graciously hosted by Davide Palitta and Paolo Zagatti, the President of the club – seen below with Darryl.

In addition we were also introduced to members of the BogaSport A.S.D. ,  a multi-discipline LGBT sport society . Both groups are part of the Arcigay “Viva il Calcio” (long live football) initiative organised by Arcigay, the national LGBT organisation.

The meeting took place on the exact anniversary of the launch of the Proud Lilywhites and came at the end of the Football v Homophobia Month of Action.

Advertisement

Month of Action continues at the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation

Proud Lilywhites engages students from the Club’s Community Foundation in a session to support the Football v Homophobia month of action.

With Olympian Helen Richardson-Walsh, our co-Chair Darryl led a class to students on the Sports Development course during their regular equalities module.

The aim of the day was to raise awareness about the roots of homophobia and how to deal with it in a sports setting.

Allison Sharman from the Community Foundation told Proud Lilywhites that “the presentation ensured that the learners acquired information about homophobia, its roots and how we might work towards effecting change but also gave them the opportunity to engage in open and honest discussions about their existing thoughts and views.”

Darryl Telles, also commented that “It was great to talk to the students and share our experience and understanding of homophobia. I feel assured that the upcoming generation of sports coaches will appreciate the need for LGBT equality.”

The pictures below show Co-Chairs Darryl Telles, Chris Paouros, our Patron Helen and Communities Officer Daniel Harvey with students in the Learning Zone at White Hart Lane.

  

We’re all Fans for Diversity at the North London Derby

As part of the build up for the North London Derby, Proud Lilywhites hosted a stand to promote Fans for Diversity in Tottenham Square before the big match.

Preceded by a pitch side photo call, a number of volunteer members gave out Proud Lilywhite branded sweets and stickers, Kick it Out badges and information packs together with flyers letting fans know how they can be a Fan of Diversity in football.

The message being given to fans was that everyone can be a Fan of Diversity and that no matter what your gender identity or sexuality, hate and abuse has no place in football and we can all play our part in kicking discrimination out of the game.

In addition, the resounding victory on the pitch brought a happy conclusion to our trifecta of events; following a win over the Gay Gooners in the pub quiz and our 5-a-side game, the first eleven secured the hat-trick for a memorable week.

We were also delighted to see the Proud Lilywhite flag in pride of place inside the ground, which was seen by millions on TV during the broadcast. Many positive comments were received by the team and messages of support were shared on social media through out the day. Here’s a selection of our favourites:

@flackjo: @SpursLGBT Thanks for the sweet today….they must be good luck! You will have to hand them out at every game!

@rnendick: @SpursLGBT loving seeing the rainbow flag at Spurs today on #btsport

@delme_cupido: @SpursLGBT Saw banner on Telly here in #SouthAfrica today we are all #proudlilywhites

The team were joined by members from the Spurs Disabled Supporters Association and Kick It Out’s CEO Roisin Wood.  Photos of the day are below.

     

Proud Lilywhites v Gay Gooners Pub Quiz – The Results!

More than 30 people packed the Beehive in Tottenham for the first of our FvH month of action events.  

In what is expected to be an annual fixture, the Proud Lilywhites routed the Gay Gooners 50-35 in our first head to head pub quiz.  Over eight rounds of questions including a difficult cryptic set, we battled hard to claim the first prize of the week as we build up to the 5-a-side on Tuesday and the Kick It Out Season of Action game on Saturday.

We were delighted to also welcome a teams of local players and the London Romans, our local LGBT football team. 

The photos below capture the victorious team and the other competitors.