It’s time to #RetireTheChant
Together THFC
It’s the start of the season, the sun is shining and things are looking good; let’s not tarnish it with homophobic chanting on Sunday.
And yes, the ‘rent boy’ chant is homophobic—if it wasn’t, nobody would bother. It’s busted out precisely to be insulting and hateful, and when the affected community tells you it’s homophobic and explains the impact, please hear us (see Lee’s story). It’s also exposing a new generation of young fans to words and terms that provoke questions they shouldn’t have to ask.
The chant has gained prevalence the last couple of seasons and while we imagine that most fans don’t sing this with intent to make LGBTQ+ fans feel uncomfortable, ostracised or demeaned, the impact it has on us shouldn’t be underestimated. The term has been used over many years to victimise young gay men; it’s distressing to hear it chanted when Chelsea play. We hope we don’t hear it on Sunday.
We’re Spurs, we should be better.
We know from our work with our great Club that they are completely supportive of the Proud Lilywhites and our global LGBTQ+ fan base. They are committed to ensuring that following our team is safe and inclusive for all fans and won’t tolerate any form of discriminatory behaviour. We’re proud to be part of a club that fights all forms of discrimination – on and off the pitch, and the support we get from many fellow fans echoes this.
It’s time to retire the chant.
We all love this game and we want to win matches and trophies, but we want to do it with style. Homophobic language, when unchallenged, can have real-life consequences: together, we have to be the change we want to see. Making change, fan by fan if necessary, is why we’re here and we won’t rest until we’ve done it.
Discrimination and abuse have no place in our game. Should you hear or experience anything you consider to be unacceptable, or that goes against the Spurs Respects ethos you can report it via the text service – to 88777 or 07894 937793 with Stand, Block, Row and Seat details, as well as the offender and the incident. After the match incidents can be reported to reporthate@chelseafc.com and supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com. You can also use the Kick it Out app and we would also appreciate it if you could contact us: info@proudlilywhites.uk so that we can continue to work with the Club to eradicate homophobia in all its forms..
We all want the team to do well, all together, as Spurs fans. COYS!
The Proud Lilywhites, August 2022
Retire the chant
Together THFC
Like all Spurs fans, we’re looking forward to a cup semi-final under the lights. However, unlike all other Spurs fans, we’re also approaching the game with an impending fear of dread at the prospect of hearing the homophobic ‘Chelsea Rent Boy’ chant.
Let’s not kid ourselves that the ‘rent boy’ chant is somehow not homophobic. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be sung, and as with antisemitic and racist chants and noises – they’re sung precisely to be insulting and hateful. And when the affected community tells you it’s homophobic and explains the impact, please hear us (see Lee’s story below). It’s also exposing a new generation of young fans to words and terms that provoke questions they shouldn’t have to ask.
The chant has been heard at many grounds this season and whilst we are certain that most fans don’t sing this with any intent to make LGBTQ+ fans, feel uncomfortable, ostracised, or demeaned, the impact it has on us shouldn’t be underestimated as the term has been used over many years to victimise young gay men; it’s distressing to hear it chanted when Chelsea play. We hope we won’t hear it tonight.
We’re Spurs and should be better.
We know from our work with our great Club that they are completely supportive of the Proud Lilywhites and our global LGBTQ+ fan base. They are committed to ensuring our stadium is a safe and inclusive environment for all fans and won’t tolerate any form of discriminatory behaviour. We’re proud to be part of a club that fights all forms of discrimination – on and off the pitch, and the support we get from many fellow fans echoes this.
It’s time to retire the chant.
We all love this game and we want to win matches and trophies, but we want to do it with style. Homophobic language, when unchallenged, can have real-life consequences: together, we have to be the change we want to see. Making change, fan by fan if necessary, is why we’re here and we won’t rest until we’ve done it.
Discrimination and abuse have no place in our game. Should you hear or experience anything you consider to be unacceptable, or that goes against the Spurs Respects ethos you can report it to the Club via the text service on 07537 404821, please include your location (Block/Row/Seat) and the location of the offence (Block/Row/Seat) and include HPH for homophobic chanting. You can also use the Kick it Out app and we would also appreciate it if you could contact us: info@proudlilywhites.uk so that we can continue to work with the Club to eradicate homophobia in our amazing home.
We all want the team to do well and support them, all together, as Spurs fans. COYS!
The Proud Lilywhites, January 2022
Spurs Quiz Night
Staying Connected
We hope you all are well in these weird times. All of us are adapting to the current circumstances, so we wanted to let you know that we’re planning a few online events to take place in the next month or so.
All our events will be free to join.
To find out how to join us with these (and any new events coming up) – make sure you are registered to our emails. You can sign up here if you haven’t already to stay connected with us.
Our first event is on the 8th April 2020 – ‘Talking Tottenham on a Wednesday Night’. You just need to be a registered member & follow the email instructions. There are a few events you can register for already.
If you would like to make a donation to help us cover the cost of the tech, it would be most appreciated, but it is not necessary in order to take part.
Please do register to both the emails and events – click the links and sign up, we’d love to see you and keep in touch…..
Be safe, and keep well.
Hotspur Seat – Tiffany Rose Bance
Tiffany Rose Bance
How long have you supported spurs? Tell us about the first game you saw…
I have been a Spurs fan since I was 7 or 8 when my cousin took me to a game vs West Spam in ’83/’84. It was a replay in the cup and we lost it 2-1! My brother, who was about 10 at the time, trained with the likes of Gary Stevens and Chris Waddle and a few others during the summer and that’s another big reason why I became a Spurs fan. If those players had the time to teach, and to give back to the youngsters then this must be a great club. I have always supported them ever since!
Who is your all-time favourite player? Who is your current favourite?
My all time favourite players are Ledley King and Gary Mabbutt. I would say my current favourite players are Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, Toby Aldeweireld and our captain Hugo Lloris.
What is your most memorable Spurs-supporting moment?
The best moment has to be the semi final vs Ajax (Away). It showed what it all meant to the whole team – what passion! And of course, seeing Mauricio Pochettino down on his knees.
And finally, why did you join the Proud Lilywhites?
I joined the Proud Lilywhites so that I can interact with fellow fans, as recently I came out as transgender and this is a great way to make new friends.
You can follow Tiffany here:
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