Yesterday – Saturday 5 April 2014 – I had the privilege of watching England beat Montenegro 9-0 in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Brighton’s Amex Community Stadium. It was an exceptional match, full of entertaining and skillful football, played in a spirit of friendship and good humour. Despite the appearance of the scoreline,… Continue reading Another victory for the Lionesses, yet still women’s football remains vastly undervalued
Category: Equality & Inclusion
See It. Hear It. Report It. FA films help rid football of discrimination.
We all want to feel welcome and safe at football matches, whether we are on the pitch, in the dugout, or in the stands. Anti-LGBT discrimination, be it ‘banter’ between players and coaches or more blatant chanting from spectators can often lead to us feeling uncomfortable or even threatened. As an FA disciplinary chair and… Continue reading See It. Hear It. Report It. FA films help rid football of discrimination.
Football: Time for tougher sanctions on fans who discriminate and the clubs that tolerate them?
Channel 4’s Dispatches programme broadcast on Monday evening, which focused on racist, antisemitic, Islamaphobic, and homophobic conduct by fans of a number of English football clubs has inevitably resulted in many friends and colleagues expressing horror about this misbehaviour and the damage it does to the reputation of our national game. Moreover people have turned to… Continue reading Football: Time for tougher sanctions on fans who discriminate and the clubs that tolerate them?
Gender diversity in the City: Lloyds Banking Group takes up Lord Mayor’s challenge
2014 is the year for promoting diversity in the Square Mile. The City’s second ever woman Lord Mayor, Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, (shamefully given there have been 686 holders of the office) has made the power of diversity one of her key themes. In launching the programme in her 686 Plan, Fiona says: The City… Continue reading Gender diversity in the City: Lloyds Banking Group takes up Lord Mayor’s challenge
Stonewall: a new dawn for the UK’s top LGBT equality campaign
Anyone who has read my blog on LGB&T issues may have noticed a scepticism in my tone about the work of Stonewall, the biggest and most influential equal rights campaign in the United Kingdom, this despite being listed by them amongst 17 LGB ‘Role Models’ in their publication of that name back in 2012. In… Continue reading Stonewall: a new dawn for the UK’s top LGBT equality campaign
UEFA’s ‘Respect’ must be more than a slogan: time to take action on racism and discrimination
Last night’s racist incidents at the Champion’s League match in Moscow between CSKA and Manchester City bring into sharp focus the need to make UEFA’s ‘Respect’ campaign more than just a slogan. Disciplinary action must be taken against clubs who allow their fans to behave in ways which discriminate against other fans, players, or members… Continue reading UEFA’s ‘Respect’ must be more than a slogan: time to take action on racism and discrimination
“Bisexuality does exist, it is not a fiction, nor is it a phase”, my key message to Civil Service equality conference
I had the privilege of giving a keynote address to today’s Civil Service Rainbow Alliance (the national LGB&T staff network) conference at the Ministry of Defence. Also on the programme were Sir Bob Kerslake, Head of the Civil Service; Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions; Liz Bingham, managing Partner at EY; and Peter Tatchell… Continue reading “Bisexuality does exist, it is not a fiction, nor is it a phase”, my key message to Civil Service equality conference
As the FA say goodbye to Hope, now is the time for investment in women’s sport
As I was watching the England women’s cricket team’s spirited efforts in today’s Ashes match at Lord’s, the FA was announcing the departure of Hope Powell, our country’s most prominent woman sport coach. This followed the England team’s poor performance in the recent UEFA European Championships. The departure of Hope Powell brings mixed emotions for… Continue reading As the FA say goodbye to Hope, now is the time for investment in women’s sport
Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia
I have always had the greatest admiration for Stephen Fry – his talent, his passion, his humanity, his advocacy for equality and for those, like him, who struggle with their mental health. I had the good fortune once to share a long train journey with him and found him to be not only the hugely… Continue reading Stephen Fry’s call to arms – why the IOC must act on Russia
In memory of Harvey Milk – defending principles, fighting prejudice
Yesterday evening, my partner and I watched the 2008 film Milk, which tells the story of the political career of San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk, America’s first openly gay elected public official. Milk was an inspirational figure who overcame prejudice and even violence during his campaigns to be elected, but was ultimately assassinated in… Continue reading In memory of Harvey Milk – defending principles, fighting prejudice
C. E. Lord OBE 