February is the international campaign month of ‘Football v Homophobia’ (FvH) and Cray Valley PM FC is supporting the initiative.
FvH is a campaign uniting football in opposing homophobia and prejudice against LGBT+ people in football.
Year round, FvH enables people to take action against prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in football, and to celebrate and welcome diversity in the game. This culminates in an international show of support in February to raise awareness of the issue and to join together in making a visible stand against prejudice and for inclusion.
Cray Valley PM FC is pleased to be supporting the campaign this season as part of the FvH grassroots initiative.
Club Chairman Frank May said: “To the best of our ability, we will make sure that players and supporters of all sexualities, gender identities and gender expressions feel welcomed at our club. Using gender as a way to abuse people is also wrong. Saying men are ‘playing like girls’ or ‘like women’ not only offends women and girls, but can also make LGBT+ people feel uncomfortable too. Calling women and girls who are involved in football ‘lesbians’ or ‘men’ as a term of abuse is stereotyping and offensive. If you feel safe, always challenge language or behaviour that puts LGBT+ people down. Remember, saying nothing only allows prejudice and discrimination to get worse.
As a club, we always strive to create a welcoming environment that embraces all of our fans, so that every one of our supporters can feel included in the match day experience.”
Studies on homophobia in sport over the past ten years find that around 82% of respondents have witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport in the UK.
Attitudes in Football are changing, but we all need to make sure that the language we use and the way we behave reflects this change. At Cray Valley PM FC we believe we can make a real difference to the culture of football, and we’d like your support. We know that change starts with education and Cray Valley PM FC recognises it has a role to play in leading the way on raising awareness of homophobia and LGBT+ discrimination within the club and its community.
Cray Valley PM FC believes in a game where LGBT+ people can be seen and heard, and valued for their contribution to football. Cray Valley PM FC will work to create a safe and inclusive football environment where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions are welcome.
We have designated Saturday’s home fixture against Sittingbourne FC in support of the Football v Homophobia campaign.

This is an opportunity for our supporters and friends to also get behind the campaign and show everyone that Cray Valley PM FC is no place for hate or bigotry.
At our #FvH2022 designated game on Saturday, Cray Valley PM FC will be making a pledge to improve our club by ensuring that players of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions will be welcomed in your team.
You can find out more about the Football v Homophobia campaign and action you can personally take in February, here: https://www.footballvhomophobia.com
Twitter: @FvHTweets | Instagram: FOOTBALL_V_HOMOPHOBIA

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