About The GFSN

The mission of the Gay Football Supporters’ Network is to promote the support and participation of gay men and women in football, and act as a medium for LGBT football supporters to get together.

The GFSN will work to establish a social network for gay football supporters, to encourage the formation of gay teams for players of all abilities, and to campaign against homophobia in football, with a view to creating a safe and tolerant environment and to gain the respect and recognition for gay involvement in football.

Since our formation in 1989, our main concerns still hold true today - that is while football is the greatest sport in the world, it can be intimidating for LGBT persons due to the homophobic attitudes within all aspects of the game.

CAMPAIGNING

It’s our intention to work together with The FA and clubs across the country to eradicate homophobia from the terraces.

From the 2007/08 season, The FA amended football ground regulations that specifically made homophobic chanting an offence.

It is aimed that this campaign will facilitate similar social and attitude change to that of the successful anti-racism campaigns in the last few decades.

A number of clubs have already stated their support, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Brighton and Bournemouth.

SUPPORTING

There are regional groups of GFSN throughout the country from the South Coast to Yorkshire and the North West. These groups meet regularly to watch or play football, or just to socialise.

Group activities take many different forms from the national get together which can attract over 100 members over a weekend to informal theatre and cinema trips involving just 2 or 3 members.

Some members offer accomodation to traveling members, which can be very useful for away trips and is a good way of meeting new members.

PLAYING FOOTBALL

Over the last decade, football teams have been created in our regions and now a thriving league exists across the country.

We our proud that LGBT teams exist around the country, so LGBT people have the chance to get fit, play sport, and meet new friends in a friendly welcoming environment.

Unfortunately, despite football being the biggest sport in the world, it can still be intimidating for gay people to take part, due to the homophobic attitudes still prevalent in the game.

NEWSLETTER

Everything is held together by the Newsletter.

The newsletter consists of a round-up of events in each region, articles about football, homophobia within the sport, or generally anything that would appeal to our membership.

There’s a predicition competition, and our members can contribute their own articles and views, subject to it being legal and only mildly offensive!

The newsletter can be posted or emailed to members.

The Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) was founded in early 1989 by a small but dedicated group of Football Supporters who happened to be gay.

This dedicated band went out to spread the word to the world that being queer did not mean an exclusive dislike of their favourite sport.

From those small beginnings meeting as a group in the Salmon & Compasses in Chapel Market, North London, the national organisation began to grow.

Now with very successful social groups from London, through the South West of England and making inroads to Scotland.

Footy fans of all genders meet regularly to discuss their fave sport in their hundreds.

Our Newsletter gives up to date details of where the groups meet